These Regulations implement Article 5 of Directive 2001/77/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27th September 2001 (O.J. No. L283, 27.10.01, p. 33) on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market.

Regulation 3 provides for guarantees of origin to be issued by the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation (“the Authority”).

Regulation 4 and Schedule 1 make provision relating to a request for the issue of guarantees of origin and the information that is required in connection with such a request.

Regulation 5 makes provision for the issue of guarantees of origin to be refused where access to plants is denied or relevant information withheld.

Regulation 6 sets out the manner in which guarantees of origin are to be issued and transferred.

Regulation 7 and Schedule 2 provide for a Register of guarantees of origin and revoked guarantees of origin.

Regulation 8 sets out the circumstances in which guarantees of origin are to be revoked.

Regulation 9 provides for the recognition of, and the refusal to recognise, guarantees of origin issued in other Member States or Great Britain and for the recognition of guarantees of origin issued by the Authority.