Tenders available with an ECS certificate

Tenders available with an ECS certificate

19 Jun 2025 | ECS certificate

On 26 March 2025, the Commission de Régulation de l’Energie, which is the French Energy Regulation Council, published the tender specifications for ground-mounted photovoltaic power plants. These specifications applied to the bidding period which ran from 2 June to 13 June 2025. To respond, photovoltaic developers had to submit the ECS score calculated using the PPE2 V1 methodology for the photovoltaic modules they wished to install.

CRE Tenders: How Do They Work ?

The Commission de Régulation de l’Energie (CRE) regularly publishes invitations to tender for photovoltaic installations in France. These tenders differ in terms of the nature and location of the photovoltaic plants, and the cumulative power demand. Developers generally have a two-week window to submit an application. Winning a call for tenders entitles you to a guaranteed preferential feed-in tariff for the energy you produce. CRE calls for tenders only concern installations of more than 500kWp installed.

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Why is the ECS certificate important in your application process?

To respond to public calls for tenders and open window mechanisms, developers must include the ECS score of the photovoltaic modules they plan to use in their application. The ECS score counts towards the overall score of the application and is therefore a key factor in winning the tender. Different calculation methodologies are used to determine the ECS score: it varies according to the period and the tender for which the developer is applying.

Each bidding phase has its own specific rules.

4 main methodologies are considered in the calls for tender published by the CRE:

 

  • CRE3 calculation methodology
  • CRE4 calculation methodology
  • PPE2 V1 calculation methodology
  • PPE2 V2 calculation methodology

A different methodology for each period

For each period of the CRE calls for tenders, only one methodology shall be applied to calculate the ECS score. The methodologies to be used are summarised below. 

Contact a member of the PINK Strategy team to find out the calculation methodology to be applied to your call for tenders. 

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Why is everyone talking about carbon footprint ?

Why is everyone talking about carbon footprint ?

22 May 2025 | CARBON FOOTPRINT

Did you know that 78% of European companies now have a strategy for reducing their carbon footprint ? In a context where climate change is becoming a major concern, the term “GHG Protocol” is on everyone’s lips. But why is it so popular ?

Understanding and measuring one’s environmental impact is now an imperative for businesses, local authorities and even individuals. In this article, we explore what a GHG Protocol is, why it has become essential and how to implement it effectively.

1. Understanding GHG Protocol

What is GHG Protocol ?

GHG Protocol is a methodology developed in 2001 which provides guidelines to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It exists alongside the French Bilan Carbone® methodology, developed in 2004, which provides guidelines and tools to perform the measures and identify the dependence of an activity, an organisation or a product to fossil energies.

These methods make it possible to take into account all sources of direct and indirect emissions linked to energy, transport, raw materials or also wastes, in order to draw up an action plan to reduce these emissions. In particular, they enable organisations to meet the requirements of the ISO 14064-1 standard.

Why is it essential today ?

Faced with the challenges of global warming, regulations are becoming stricter and consumers are demanding greater transparency. The latest report from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) underlines the urgent need for action to limit global warming to 1.5°C, and stresses the crucial role of businesses and organisations in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Carrying out a GHG Protocol gives you a better understanding of your ecological impact and helps you identify practical ways to improve.

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2. The importance of GHG Protocol today

A regulatory imperative

With regulations such as the law on duty of vigilance and extra-financial reporting for large companies, GHG Protocol is becoming a must. For example in France, some companies are required to carry out a GHG Protocol and to implement actions to reduce their carbon footprint.

A strategic asset for companies

Carrying out a GHG Protocol is more than just a legal requirement, it is also a powerful lever for :

  • Reduce costs by optimising energy consumption

  • Improving brand image by demonstrating a commitment to the environment

  • Anticipate future environmental regulations

Growing demand from consumers and professionals

Consumers are increasingly attentive to the ecological impact of the products and services they buy. A well-managed GHG Protocol makes it possible to offer products and services that are more respectful of the environment and therefore more attractive.

Similarly, professionals, partners and investors expect companies to adopt responsible and transparent practices when it comes to their carbon footprint. A structured emissions reduction approach is therefore becoming an important selection criterion in commercial and financial relationships.

3. How to carry out an effective GHG Protocol ?

Step 1: Define the scope of the study and raise team awareness

Before even starting the GHG Protocol, it is essential to involve all the stakeholders in the organisation. This stage enables teams to be made aware of the carbon issues, to define the objectives of the assessment and to identify the necessary resources. A proper scoping exercise guarantees an effective approach that is consistent with the company’s overall strategy.

Step 2: Data collection

Gather all the information you can on your energy consumption, travel, purchasing, production and waste. The more accurate the data, the more reliable the analysis.

Step 3: Use a recognised calculation methodology

Tools such as the GHG Protocol or ADEME’s Bilan Carbone® method can be used to analyse emissions according to three scopes:

  • Scope 1: Direct emissions (e.g. fuel combustion, heat production, etc.)
  • Scope 2: Indirect emissions linked to the energy consumed
  • Scope 3: Indirect upstream and downstream emissions (e.g. transport of goods, product life cycle, etc.)

Step 4: Identify reduction targets and levers

Once the diagnosis has been made, an action plan must be drawn up to reduce emissions. This may include:

  • Adopting reduction targets validated by the SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative), a reference for climate trajectories aligned with the Paris Agreement
  • Optimising the energy efficiency of buildings
  • Switching to renewable energies
  • Reducing business travel and promoting teleworking
  • Eco-design of products

Step 5: Set up a monitoring system

Reducing emissions is a process of continuous improvement. It is essential to regularly monitor progress and adjust actions accordingly. The ACT (Accelerate Climate Transition) method is a recognised approach for assessing the transition of companies towards a low-carbon economy and structuring an effective monitoring process.

Step 6: Declare your results and strategy

Communicating your GHG Protocol is essential to ensure transparency and demonstrate your commitment to the ecological transition. There are a number of organisations that can help you declare your results and assess your low-carbon strategy:

  • SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative): Possibility of publicly committing to reduction targets set in accordance with scientific recommendations
  • CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): International platform for reporting on the carbon footprint of companies
  • WBA (World Benchmarking Alliance): Ranking of companies according to their commitment to sustainable development

Step 7: Get yourself assessed

A critical review by a certified third party guarantees the quality and credibility of the GHG Protocol. It is recommended that you go through specialist organisations such as:

  • ACT Evaluation : Evaluates the climate transition strategy of companies
  • Afnor verification: Certification of environmental data and commitments
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4. What benefits can you expect from a GHG Protocol ?

Reduced operating costs

Optimising energy consumption and production processes can generate substantial savings.

Competitive advantages

A clear and measurable commitment to the climate is a real differentiator in the marketplace.

Better regulatory compliance

Preparing now for future legal obligations, such as the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), helps avoid sanctions and anticipate market developments.

Conclusion

The GHG Protocol is much more than a simple measurement method: it is a strategic lever for any organisation concerned about its environmental impact. Beyond the legal obligations, it is an effective means of optimising costs, improving image and meeting consumer expectations.

Have you ever considered carrying out a GHG Protocol for your business ? Contact us using the form below to find out how we can help !

Simplified Carbon Assessment: a must for the photovoltaic sector

Simplified Carbon Assessment: a must for the photovoltaic sector

17 Apr 2025 | CRE

Nearly 500 photovoltaic module references had a simplified carbon assessment (ECS) at the beginning of August 2024. This demonstrates the wide choice of photovoltaic panels available to developers of photovoltaic power plants to respond to calls for tender on the French market. In this article, we present the ECS and its importance in decarbonising the French energy mix.

Discover the ECS

The ECS is an environmental impact certificate for photovoltaic modules. It focuses on the Green House Gas emissions linked to the manufacture of a module. The certificate’s score depends on the quantities of raw materials used in the photovoltaic module and the supply chain for the various components.

Understanding the ECS

The ECS assigns a “carbon score” to a photovoltaic module. The ECS ensures the traceability of the photovoltaic module’s components. The certificate details the entire supply chain of the various components. The certificate is valid for a maximum of one year from the date of issue. It must cover the production period of the photovoltaic panel. The ECS is calculated as the sum of the carbon impacts of the various components of a photovoltaic module. The process of assembling the components is also taken into account. Silicon, the raw material for cells, undergoes several transformations, from refining to processing into photovoltaic cells. These multiple processes are taken into account when calculating the ECS score.

Reducing your ECS score

ADEME, the French Agency for Ecological Transition, has established default values by country for each manufacturing process included in the calculation of the ECS score. These default values can be replaced by values derived from life cycle analyses (LCA) carried out on the various factories in the supply chain. PINK Strategy, recognised in France for carrying out LCAs and improving the ECS score, is the ideal partner to support you thanks to its solid relationship with Certisolis, the only French organisation authorised to issue ECS certificates.

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How do I use the ECS certificate?

The ECS certificate enables developers of photovoltaic power plants to respond to public calls for tenders issued by the Commission de Régulation de l’Énergie (CRE), as well as the open call for tenders. The ECS score of the photovoltaic panel proposed by the developer has an impact on the CRE’s decision to award the winning projects in the tenders. The different calls for tenders to which a module can respond according to its ECS score are specified on the certificate.

It is a very robust methodology for calculating carbon impact and guaranteeing the traceability of the supply chain internationally recognized for its rigor. In addition to CRE grants, many developers and investors use this Simplified Carbon Assessment to measure and optimize the impact of their projects.