What it is about
Part 4‑3 defines the REF, sets out the methodology for calculation and presentation, and gives guidance on interpretation. The indicator is a quantitative measure of the actual consumption of renewable energy in the form of electricity. It is aimed at data center managers who want to assess their procurement portfolio and demonstrate achievements against national targets or corporate requirements.
The standard adopts the ISO/IEC definition of renewable energy but gives precedence to definitions in local legislation; it does not set limits (EN 50600‑4‑3:2019, Introduction and Clause 1).
Core requirements in our own words
The REF is an annual value between 0 and 1.
It divides the renewable energy that the data center owns and controls by the total energy consumption, both in kilowatt-hours over the same twelve months. At 1.00, all consumption comes from renewable sources. Clauses 5.1 and 6.
Three sources count.
Energy generated on site whose environmental attributes were consumed in the data center; purchased and consumed certificates; and the share of the supply that the energy supplier documents in writing as renewable. Clause 5.1.
The rights decide, not the location of the plant.
If a data center sells the certificates of its photovoltaic system, that electricity does not count; a data center using coal-fired power and purchased certificates, on the other hand, does achieve a REF. Clause 5.1.
Surplus is not credited.
If the site generates more renewable energy than the data center consumes, the REF stays at 1.00; the certificates for the surplus may be sold. Clause 5.1 and Annex B.
Measured in the same way as total consumption.
Local renewable generation and total consumption are recorded with the same method, as active energy, not as apparent power. The standard leaves the measurement frequency open, but it determines the rhythm of the rolling annual values. Clause 6.
A report states boundary, value, and end date.
It should also include the basis of the definition, the issuers of the certificates, the quantity generated on site, and the supplier’s evidence; a national definition is marked in parentheses. Clause 8 and Annex A.
From our seminars: two misconceptions
“We have a photovoltaic system on the roof, so our REF goes up.”
Only if the guarantees of origin stay with the data center and are consumed there. From seminar practice: anyone who markets the certificates of their own system still has the electricity physically, but no longer the environmental attributes, and those are what the standard counts (Clause 5.1, Annex B).
“With more on-site generation than consumption, our REF is above 100%.”
Mathematically the result is above 1, but the standard caps it at 1.00. From seminar practice: the calculation example from the standard is worked through in the seminar, because feeding energy into the grid does not increase the REF but can be sold as a certificate (Clause 5.1, Annex B).
Where Part 4‑3 applies in a project
Procurement
The electricity supply contract must document the renewable share in writing, otherwise it does not count. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1364 additionally requires a breakdown into guarantees of origin, power purchase agreements, and on-site renewables (Annex II).
Law
The EnEfG requires electricity consumption to be covered on balance by renewable energy, in full from 2027; the share according to DIN EN 50600‑4‑3 is entered in the German energy efficiency register for data centers (Energieeffizienzregister) (Section 11(5), Annex 3).
Operation
If the supplier provides the share in time intervals, the intervals are added up to the annual value (Annex C).
This protects you from a share in the register that does not stand up in an audit without guarantees of origin (Clause 8).
Status and revision
- Current edition
DIN EN 50600‑4‑3:2019‑08, German edition of EN 50600‑4‑3:2016 with amendment A1:2019; A1 updated the introduction and harmonized the total energy consumption with Part 4‑2.
- International
ISO/IEC 30134‑3; Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1364 refers to EN 50600‑4‑3 as the European implementation.
- Revision
No ongoing revision known. Committee CLC/TC 215, nationally DKE/GK 719.
- Last reviewed
EN 50600‑4‑3
Frequently asked questions
The ratio of the renewable energy that a data center owns and controls to the total energy consumption, both as annual values in kilowatt-hours. The value is between 0 and 1 (Clause 5.1).
Yes, if the supplier documents in writing for the reporting period that the energy supplied meets the definition of renewable energy (Clause 5.1 c).
No. Renewable energy beyond the data center’s own demand is not credited (Clause 5.1).
On balance, 50% of electricity consumption from 1 January 2024 and 100% from 1 January 2027 (Section 11(5) EnEfG, as of 13 November 2023).
Operators with an IT power demand of 500 kW or more report it annually to the European database on data centers under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1364; the EnEfG requires the share according to DIN EN 50600‑4‑3 for the energy efficiency register (Annex 3).
Seminars
Related seminars
- DC-21008
Data Center Sustainability & Efficiency
5 days · In person
REF, ERF, and PUE with calculation examples from the standard and a comparison with the requirements of the EnEfG; this saves you a share that is based on sold certificates.
Next date: 7–11 Jun 2027, Munich · GermanPrice plus VAT: €6,990 - DC-21010
Energy Management According to ISO 50001
for data centers under Section 12 EnEfG
3 days · In person
Legally sound implementation of the EnEfG, including the register and the documentation of evidence.
Next date: 8–10 Dec 2026, Frankfurt am Main · GermanPrice plus VAT: €4,195
All prices plus VAT; the price is the same in every format.
- DIN EN 50600‑4‑3:2019‑08 (German edition of EN 50600‑4‑3:2016 with A1:2019), Introduction, national foreword of the German edition, Clauses 1, 3.1, 4, 5.1, 6, 7, 8, Annex A, Annex B, Annex C
- ISO/IEC 30134‑3
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1364 of 14 March 2024, Articles 1 and 3, Annexes II and III
- German Energy Efficiency Act (Gesetz zur Steigerung der Energieeffizienz in Deutschland, EnEfG) of 13 November 2023, Section 11, Annex 3
- DCE academy seminar practice: Data Center Sustainability & Efficiency (session November 2025), Data Center – General Principles (session April 2026)
Glossary terms
- Renewable Energy Factor (REF)
- renewable energy
- renewable energy certificate and guarantee of origin
- total data center energy consumption
- boundary
- German energy efficiency register for data centers (Energieeffizienzregister)
- European database on data centers
