855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 356

Extracted Content

VINTAGE Renewable energy cannot be generated more than 18 months before the initial submission date for LEED certification.

A one-time purchase of EACs or RECs cannot occur more than 18 months before the initial submission date for LEED Certification unless the terms of the purchase agreement ensure renewable energy generation occurs no earlier than the referenced date.

Allocation of renewable power to the project from a multi-year contract must be limited to power generation beginning 18 months prior to LEED initial submission.

LOCATION For projects in large countries such as the U.S., India, and China, the renewable energy must be generated in the same country as the project. For projects in smaller countries such as those in the European Union, the renewable energy must be generated in the same multi-country geographical region as the project, provided that these countries share an interconnected electric utility grid or that EACs are unavailable in the project’s country.

TIER 2 BULK PURCHASES Tier 2 bulk purchases totaling more than 100% of the project’s total combined annual electricity and district energy usage require Green-e® Energy certification (or equivalent). This ensures the proper level of transparency and verification necessary to confirm additionality and environmental impact associated with the EACs.

GREEN-E® EQUIVALENCE

Projects not using Green-e® certified products for Tier 2 bulk purchases or for Tier 3 electricity or fuel must demonstrate equivalency to the Green-e ® requirements.

For electricity, the EACs retired on behalf of the LEED Project must:

• Be certified under an eco-label or similar program developed by an independent organization or government entity with transparent accounting process and standards in place.

• Be from an eligible renewable energy resource (see Green-e® Framework for Renewable Energy Certification, Section IIIA, Renewable Resource Types, and additional regional requirements as applicable, i.e., Appendix D: Green-e® Renewable

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 346