Scope 2 Emissions

Grid electricity refers to the electricity that is generated from power plants and distributed through a network of transmission lines and distribution substations, commonly known as the power grid or electric grid.

It is expected that all sites will have an electricity supply. In many cases this will be supplied by the local grid network.

Grid electricity will be supplied to the site by an energy supplier. Electricity will then be used throughout the site for powering equipment and processes such as lighting, computer systems, etc.

The information regarding consumption amount to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

The consumption of electricity will be stated on the electricity invoice or bill and will be in kWh. This has been determined from the electricity meter(s) installed onsite.

Meter readings - the site should speak to the plant engineer or utilities engineer to find out where the meter is located, this should be the meter for all incoming electricity to the site. The meter will have to be read at regular intervals so that the latest reading can be subtracted from the previous reading to obtain the cumulative consumption.

The electricity bill will state if the bill is based on estimated consumption, the site can obtain the electricity bill from the finance team. If this is the case, the site should first try to obtain direct meter readings as the most suitable information to answer the question.

In order to determine the supplier of electricity, this will be stated on the electricity invoice or bill. If the site has used more than one supplier in the reporting period, the site will need to provide information on all suppliers.

The default unit for electricity is kWh. This is a measure of total electrical energy that has been consumed at the site.

An emission factor is used to calculate the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from an activity.

As electricity is generated from a number of different fuels and sources, typically an average emission factor is used when purchasing electricity from the grid. However, accuracy in calculating electricity associated emissions can be improved if a supplier specific factor is used. This factor will have been determined based on the fuels used for electricity by the supplier.

The supplier specific emission factor is a ratio of the equivalent mass of CO2 in kg and electrical energy in kWh, the units being kgCO2e/ kWh. If the supplier emission factor is provided in CO2 g/ kWh, this can be converted to kgCO2e/ kWh by dividing by 1000.

Information on amount of electricity purchased through supplier specific emissions contracts can be obtained in the same way as that for grid electricity (please see 'Grid Electricity' section.)

The supplier specific emissions factor can be found on the electricity supplier's website or by contacting the electricity supplier.

If the site has had more than one electricity supplier in the reporting period, the site will need to contact all electricity suppliers. The supplier specific emission factor will be valid for a finite period of time; therefore, the specific emission factor must be applicable for the site's reporting period.

It is possible to negotiate a contract with the electricity supplier for the electricity supplied to be zero emissions.

Many companies cannot produce renewable energy onsite but wish to purchase renewable electricity to reduce their carbon footprint. This is supported by a certificate of origin. The most common form in the UK is a Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) .

Although not categorised as a renewable fuel, zero emissions contracts are also available through the supply of 100% nuclear generated electricity. If the site's electricity contract is for the supply of 100% nuclear energy, this can be submitted in response to this question, with the supplier certificate or electricity invoice stating the supply is nuclear generated electricity as supporting evidence.

Information on amount of electricity purchased through zero emissions contracts can be obtained in the same way as that for grid electricity (see 'Grid Electricity section).

If the site is purchasing zero emissions electricity through a nuclear contract, the amount of electricity invoiced for the reporting period should be used to answer the question. This will be stated on the invoice. The site's finance team will be able to provide the electricity invoice.

Companies that consume electricity can purchase REGOs from third parties for the amount of electricity they have consumed that they wish to be zero emission and claim that electricity amount as zero emission. The amount of electricity that the REGO guarantees as zero emission will be stated on the certificate. Renewable electricity that is not supported by certification cannot be claimed as zero emissions. The site should upload the REGO certificate purchased in the upload box.

The site's finance team will be able to help obtain the REGO certificate or this can be obtained from the certificate supplier.

Electricity can be generated onsite from renewable sources as a zero-emission source of energy and consumed at the site to reduce operating costs and emissions. This information will be useful to buyers to understand the type of renewable energy onsite and the amount of electricity consumed.

The amount of renewable energy consumed on site can be determined from the installed meter or desktop reporting system provided with the installation. Renewable installations will supply a consumption meter linked to the site's existing electricity system and this should be read at regular intervals to collect the required information.

The site's plant or utilities engineer will be able to provide this information.

The default unit for electricity is kWh. This is a measure of total renewable electricity that has been consumed by the site after generating onsite.

Renewable electricity can be reported as zero emission electricity. Rather than generating onsite or purchasing REGOs, a company can negotiate a private supply of renewable energy directly from a generator, this question seeks to understand if the site has such an agreement in place.

A private agreement supply can be cheaper than buying from the electricity grid and is favoured by some companies who want a dedicated source of renewable electricity. An example would be the owner of unused land adjacent to the site installing solar panels and selling the generated electricity direct to the site.

The site's finance team can confirm if the site has a private agreement supply in place for electricity.

To answer this question the amount of electricity supplied is required. Information on amount of electricity purchased through private agreement supply can be obtained in the same way as that for grid electricity (see 'Grid Electricity' section).

The default unit for electricity is kWh. This is a measure of total electrical energy that has been supplied by private agreement to the site.

Some companies choose to purchase heat and/ or steam from a third party, for reasons such as not having the equipment on site, spatial restrictions etc. Heat will commonly be in the form of hot water in the temperature range 40°C to 95°C.

The information regarding amount of purchased heat and/ or steam to answer this question, in order of suitability, is as follows (1 being the most suitable):

The amount of heat and/ or steam that has been purchased should be obtained from meter readings at the point of supply.

The site’s plant engineer or utilities engineer will be able to provide this information.

The site’s finance team will be able to provide the invoice with the required information for the reporting period. The supplier invoice will state if the bill is based on estimated consumption, if this is the case, the site should first try to obtain direct meter readings as the most suitable information to answer the question.

The default unit for heat and/ or steam is kWh. This is a measure of total heat and/ or steam energy that has been supplied to the site.