Archived press release

Consumers left in dark over green electricity

6 November 2002

An accreditation scheme which was developed to give customers clear information about green electricity products has been shelved because of a lack of support from suppliers and the Government.

The Future Energy scheme, which was run by the Energy Saving Trust (EST), was being modified to take into account the introduction of a new law – the Renewable Energy Obligation, which dictates that suppliers must buy a proportion of the electricity they sell from renewable sources. The revised scheme would have helped customers decide which of the green electricity tariffs on offer provided the best environmental benefits in what is now a confusing market. The scheme’s withdrawal means Friends of the Earth’s Green Energy League Table is the only independent assessment of suppliers’ green claims [1].

Friends of the Earth believes the scheme was withdrawn because too few suppliers were willing to accept the EST’s definition of a green tariff. Under the Government’s Renewable Energy Obligation, suppliers must buy a proportion of the electricity they sell from renewable sources and market this as green electricity. The EST, in common with Friends of the Earth, believes that green customers should be offered products that go further than the legal obligation to increase demand for renewable electricity. The scheme’s withdrawal means that there is now no incentive for them to do this.

Friends of the Earth’s Energy Campaigner, Bryony Worthington said:
"Without this scheme, customers wanting to buy green electricity will be forced to do their homework. The green electricity market is very confusing. Too many companies offer “green” electricity tariffs that are little more than marketing gimmicks. We urge customers to pick carefully and go for a green tariff that genuinely results in more demand for renewable energy. And the Government must act in its forthcoming Energy White Paper to make it easier for suppliers to offer genuine green tariffs.”

Notes

[1] See www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/press_for_change/choose_green_energy/

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust