Carbon credits helped power the “100% clean” Olympic Winter games

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Oil Price or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Enel powered the Winter Olympics with what it called “100% low-carbon electricity”, partly using carbon credits
• Not all electricity came directly from wind and solar
• Some supply was backed by “guarantees of origin” (GO) certificates that offset higher-carbon generation

🔭 The context: Each GO certificate represents 1 MWh of low-carbon electricity produced, but not necessarily physically consumed by the buyer
• In 2025, 66% of Enel’s generation was low-carbon, half from hydropower, 17% geothermal, and 10% wind and solar
• Enel plans €53 billion in investments through 2028, including €20 billion for wind and solar expansion

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Carbon credits can support renewable generation, but they do not always reflect real-time fossil fuel displacement
• Overreliance on offsets risks overstating decarbonization progress
• Expanding direct renewable and low-carbon capacity remains critical for genuine emissions reductions

⏭️ What’s next: Enel aims to add 15 GW of new capacity, while scrutiny of carbon offset integrity continues to reshape voluntary carbon markets

💬 One quote: “Carbon certificates amount to a modern version of a Medieval indulgence.” — Irina Slav, OilPrice.com

📈 One stat: Only 10% of Enel’s 2025 electricity generation came from wind and solar

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