Warnings over energy greenwashing as households switch to eco tariffs en masse. 80 per cent of gas and electricity switchers picked green energy tariffs in 2020. But just how green are they? Few bill payers realise that an energy tariff can be labelled as green/renewable if an energy supplier purchases Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates for a small fee. The supplier, incredibly, is not required to purchase power directly from renewable generators. Around nine million households currently have a ‘green’ deal with their energy supplier, separate figures from Uswitch.com suggest. But over a quarter think a green tariff means that the energy directly provided to their home is 100 per cent renewable, and a further 42 per cent don’t know. Uswitch.com has this week launched a Green Accreditation for green tariffs, to help consumers understand the different approaches suppliers are taking on renewable energy tariffs.
Independent 31st March 2021 read more »
