Scope 2 Emissions Calculator
Electricity
Instantly calculate your company's CO₂ emissions from electricity consumption using official updated emission factors for Romania (0.265 kg CO₂/kWh — Transelectrica 2024) and major European countries. Complete guide for GHG Protocol and ESRS E1 reporting.
Scope 2 Emissions Calculator — Electricity
What are Scope 2 emissions and why do they matter?
Per the GHG Protocol, Scope 2 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, heat or cooling consumed by an organisation. They do not occur physically at the company's premises, but at the power plants of energy suppliers — yet they are accounted for in the buyer's inventory because the buyer creates the demand that generates them.
Scope 2 is highly relevant for most industrial, services and commercial companies in Romania — electricity is typically the second or third largest source of GHG emissions after fuel combustion (Scope 1). For a company consuming 500,000 kWh/year in Romania, Scope 2 emissions are approximately 132 tonnes CO₂e/year.
Location-based vs. market-based method
| Criterion | Location-based | Market-based |
|---|---|---|
| Emission factor | National grid average factor | Factor from energy contract (green energy, REGo, PPA) |
| Reflects | Actual production mix of the grid you are connected to | The energy you explicitly chose or contracted |
| ESRS E1 requirement | Mandatory | Mandatory (both must be reported) |
How to reduce Scope 2 emissions
- Green energy contracts with Guarantees of Origin (GO) — Purchase electricity from renewable sources certified with GO/REGo. Reduces market-based Scope 2 to zero while location-based remains unchanged.
- PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) — Direct long-term contract (10–20 years) with a renewable energy producer. The most robust way to demonstrate green energy procurement.
- Own solar panels — Installing rooftop or ground-mounted solar capacity reduces both grid consumption and energy costs. Self-generated energy has a 0 kg CO₂/kWh emission factor.
- Energy efficiency — Reducing total kWh consumption (insulation, efficient HVAC, LED lighting, efficient motors) reduces Scope 2 proportionally, regardless of calculation method.
- RE100 certification — If the company joins the RE100 initiative (100% renewable energy commitment), the market-based method becomes central to reporting.
Frequently asked questions about Scope 2 emissions
What emission factor do I use if I don't know my energy source?
If you do not have an explicit green energy contract, use the location-based national grid factor. For Romania: 0.265 kg CO₂/kWh (2024). This reflects the average production mix of the Transelectrica grid and is accepted in ESRS E1, GHG Protocol and CBAM calculations.
Does electricity from own solar panels have Scope 2 emissions?
Self-generated solar energy has 0 kg CO₂/kWh Scope 2 emissions under the market-based method. However, manufacturing and installing the panels has a carbon footprint (Scope 3 Cat. 2 — capital goods), which is amortised over 1.5–3 years of operation compared to grid energy.
How do I report Scope 2 if I have multiple locations in different countries?
Calculate separately for each location using the respective national grid emission factor. Total all locations for the organisation's Scope 2. ESRS E1 requires reporting location-based and market-based Scope 2 separately.
Does Romania's emission factor change over time?
Yes — Romania's grid emission factor has fallen from ~0.480 kg CO₂/kWh in 2010 to ~0.265 kg CO₂/kWh in 2024, driven by growing renewable capacity and reduced coal generation. The trend is towards continued decline as Romania implements EU climate targets. We recommend updating the factor annually.
Can I report zero Scope 2 emissions with a green energy contract?
Yes, under the market-based method — if you have a valid green energy contract with GO/REGo for the full consumption, you can report market-based Scope 2 = 0 kg CO₂e. However, per ESRS E1 and GHG Protocol, you must also report the location-based value (0.265 kg CO₂/kWh × kWh consumed), which cannot be zero.
Calculate your company's complete GHG inventory
The calculator above covers Scope 2 from electricity. CarbonDRI calculates a complete GHG inventory: Scope 1 (fuels), Scope 2 (electricity, heat, cooling) and Scope 3 (supply chain), per GHG Protocol and ESRS E1.
Request Complete GHG Calculation →See also: Scope 3 Guide · ESG without consultant · CFP Service