Australia's GO Scheme: What You Need to Know as LGCs Begin to Wind Down

Published: November 18, 2025.

Australia's GO Scheme: What You Need to Know as LGCs Begin to Wind Down

REGOs (Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin) and LGCs (Large-scale Generation Certificates) are both renewable energy certificates operating under Australia's Renewable Energy Target framework. The GO Scheme represents a new federal certification system where REGOs will likely succeed LGCs when the Renewable Energy Target closes on 31 December 2030. Until then, both schemes operate concurrently, but a facility cannot issue both certificates for the same electricity generation - you must choose one pathway, although your system can be registered for both schemes.

As advisors who help clients navigate Australia's energy and carbon compliance frameworks, we've been watching the rollout of the Australian Government's Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme closely. For many organisations - particularly those engaged in renewable electricity, industrial decarbonisation or exports - the GO Scheme is more than just a regulatory update. It's a shift in how environmental credentials will be tracked and verified.

We're often asked: What's replacing LGCs? and Do I need to act now? Here's what you need to know.

What is the GO Scheme?

The GO Scheme is a new federal certification framework designed to succeed the Large-scale Generation Certificate (LGC) regime. It includes:

  • REGO certificates: Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin, certifying each megawatt-hour of eligible renewable electricity.
  • PGO certificates: Product Guarantee of Origin, certifying low-emissions products like hydrogen, and eventually metals and fuels.

The scheme, part of the Future Made in Australia plan, was formally launched on 3 November 2025. It aims to provide transparent, government-backed certification that aligns with global expectations.

Why It Matters

  • LGCs end in 2030: With the LGC scheme closing 31 December 2030, REGO is the likely successor. If LGCs are part of your current compliance or revenue model, it's time to start planning your transition.
  • REGO and LGCs will overlap: From now until 2030, both schemes will operate concurrently. You cannot issue both for the same MWh - you must choose one although your system can be registered for both.
  • PGOs create new market opportunities: Especially for hydrogen producers and exporters, PGOs allow you to verify embedded emissions - a growing global requirement. Although these certificates will not be tradable.

This is your chance to do more with less risk, aligning early with the new framework.

What's New About REGO?

  • Broader eligibility: REGO includes storage and hybrid systems, expanding participation.
  • Greater transparency: Certificates include detailed data - time, source and location - enabling more accurate Scope 2 accounting.
  • No dual claiming: LGCs and REGOs cannot be issued for the same MWh.

This enables you to do more with less confusion, with simpler compliance and clearer reporting.

What About PGOs?

PGO certification will be valuable if you:

  • Export hydrogen or energy-intensive goods
  • Need verified low-emissions data for supply chains or reporting
  • Want to stay ahead of carbon border adjustments or green procurement policies

By acting early, you can do more with less exposure to shifting international standards.

What We're Helping Clients With

At Northmore Gordon, we're already supporting:

  • REGO registrations: Preparing renewable projects for participation
  • Contract strategy: Integrating REGOs into PPAs and disclosures
  • PGO readiness: Emissions baselining and documentation for low-emissions products
  • Internal training: Helping teams understand GO certificates and use them effectively

This lets our clients do more with less admin and unlock greater strategic value from compliance.

What You Should Do Now

  • Understand the new framework: The GO Scheme is live. Start aligning internal systems and teams.
  • Assess LGC reliance: Begin your transition plan if LGCs play a role in your strategy.
  • Engage your supply chain: Ask upstream partners if they're GO certified.
  • Update reporting systems: REGOs and PGOs support ESG and Scope 2/3 reporting - if managed well.

It's time to do more with less uncertainty, by planning now for what's coming next.

Our Take

The GO Scheme is a credible evolution in Australia's renewable certification and decarbonisation story. It creates new commercial and compliance advantages for businesses that engage early.

We're here to help you make the most of it - through tailored advisory, technical support and practical strategy. If you want to do more with less complexity and stay ahead of the curve, let's talk.

For more information call or email s.bansal@northmoregordon.com

Scheme and certificate context

Before using a certificate or grant figure, confirm the current scheme method, eligible activity, effective date, evidence requirements, price date and registration or application process.

What is the relationship between REGOs, LGCs and the GO Scheme?

REGOs (Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin) and LGCs (Large-scale Generation Certificates) are both renewable energy certificates operating under Australia's Renewable Energy Target framework. The GO Scheme represents a new federal certification system where REGOs will likely succeed LGCs when the Renewable Energy Target closes on 31 December 2030. Until then, both schemes operate concurrently, but a facility cannot issue both certificates for the same electricity generation—you must choose one pathway, although your system can be registered for both schemes.

Why can't a renewable energy installation create both REGOs and LGCs for the same electricity?

REGOs and LGCs both represent renewable electricity attributes and ownership rights to environmental benefits from the same generation. Creating both instruments for identical generation would constitute double-claiming of the same environmental attribute. The restriction also extends to I-RECs (International Renewable Energy Certificates) and prevents the same renewable electricity from supporting multiple claims. This safeguard ensures that when certificates are transferred or retired, the corresponding environmental attribute is not duplicated across different schemes or jurisdictions.

What should businesses consider when deciding between REGO and LGC registration for their renewable system?

The choice depends on your facility's technology, capacity, output profile, commissioning date, and intended claim. REGOs offer broader eligibility (including storage and hybrid systems) and greater transparency through detailed time, source and location data for accurate Scope 2 accounting. LGCs remain established under the Renewable Energy Target until 2030. Before deciding, document the entity controlling the facility and rights to environmental attributes. Compare complete cash-flow timing, evidence costs and attribute consequences. A headline comparison of scheme prices is incomplete without project assumptions, pricing dates and applicable rules. Model alternatives with conditions clearly visible. We can assess your specific circumstances and help you select the appropriate pathway.

How does REGO's transparency advantage improve Scope 2 emissions accounting?

REGOs include detailed data on generation time, source and location for each megawatt-hour, enabling more accurate market-based Scope 2 accounting under the GHG Protocol. This granular information allows organisations to match renewable electricity attributes to specific consumption periods and locations, improving the quality and defensibility of renewable-electricity claims. LGCs do not provide this level of specificity. For businesses preparing sustainability reports or responding to customer green-procurement requirements, REGOs' transparency supports more credible and verifiable Scope 2 disclosures.

What is PGO certification and which organisations should consider it?

Product Guarantee of Origin (PGO) certificates certify low-emissions products such as hydrogen, and eventually metals and fuels, allowing businesses to verify embedded emissions. PGOs are non-tradable and valuable for organisations that export hydrogen or energy-intensive goods, require verified low-emissions data for supply chains or reporting, or need to stay ahead of carbon border adjustments or green procurement policies. PGO certification supports Scope 3 reporting and supply-chain transparency. We assist with PGO readiness by helping organisations establish emissions baselines and documentation systems for low-emissions products.

What practical steps should a business take now to prepare for the GO Scheme transition?

Businesses should: (1) understand the new GO Scheme framework and begin aligning internal systems and teams to accommodate REGOs and PGOs; (2) assess current reliance on LGCs and develop a transition plan if significant, since LGCs end on 31 December 2030; (3) engage the supply chain by asking upstream partners about GO certification status, particularly for Scope 3 supply-chain emissions; and (4) update reporting and accounting systems, since REGOs and PGOs directly support ESG disclosures and Scope 2/3 reporting. We provide contract strategy support, REGO registration assistance and internal training to help teams integrate GO certificates into operations and reporting.

How should organisations handle renewable electricity claims when REGOs become available for their system?

Renewable electricity claims require careful documentation of the applicable framework, contractual instruments (REGOs or LGCs), ownership rights and retirement treatment. When REGOs become available, organisations must decide whether to migrate from LGCs or use REGOs for future generation. The choice affects electricity attribute claims and market-based Scope 2 accounting. Before selecting an instrument, confirm the organisation's reporting framework, actual certificate ownership and how retirement will support claims. Selling renewable attributes while retaining the ability to make an equivalent renewable-use claim must not be assumed compatible—check applicable rules and frameworks. We help clients develop contract strategy and integrate REGOs into PPAs and ESG disclosures.

Does the concurrent operation of REGO and LGC schemes until 2030 create any risks or opportunities for renewable energy facilities?

The concurrent operation period presents both risks and opportunities. Opportunities include time to assess which scheme better aligns with your facility's technology, output profile and intended claims, and flexibility to transition gradually. Risks include uncertainty about relative certificate prices, potential policy changes before 2030, and the administrative burden of managing dual registration if kept open. A facility can register for both schemes but must choose which to activate for each megawatt-hour. Delaying the decision carries the risk of being unprepared when eligibility or scheme conditions change. We recommend early assessment of your facility's position and development of a transition plan that accounts for project stage, commercial commitments and reporting requirements.

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