# We buy electricity from a neighbouring factory's generator. What factor do we use?

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/buying-power-from-a-neighbouring-factory

It is your Scope 2, but the grid factor may be wrong. Ask the neighbour for the fuel burned and units generated, and work out a supplier-specific factor. If they cannot share it, use the grid factor and note it as an estimate.

## What to ask for

- Fuel burned in the period, in litres or tonnes.
- Units generated and units sold to you.
- Their meter readings for your supply.

## Why it matters

Diesel power usually emits more per kWh than the grid average, so the grid factor can understate your footprint.

## Supplier-specific factor

- Neighbour burned 30,000 L diesel for 105,000 kWh
- 30,000 x 2.68 / 105,000 = 0.766 kg CO2 per kWh
- Your 12,000 kWh x 0.766 = 9,192 kg CO2

## What Senseible does here

Senseible reads quantities, dates and units from your bills and invoices and shows the factor and source used on every line.

- [Diesel generator scope](https://senseible.earth/answers/diesel-generator-scope-1-or-scope-2)
- [Rented generator scope](https://senseible.earth/answers/rented-diesel-generator-scope-1-or-scope-3)

Sources: [GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance](https://ghgprotocol.org/scope-2-guidance), [IPCC 2006 Guidelines, Volume 2: Energy](https://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/vol2.html)

Last reviewed 2026-10-22.