The Green Energy Supply Certification Scheme is an independent scheme that verifies the claims made by energy suppliers against their Green Energy tariffs. The scheme awards a ‘Green label’ to renewable energy products that will deliver a real, measurable environmental difference.
By purchasing a Green Energy tariff that has been awarded the label, you can be confident that you are buying electricity that comes from a renewable source and that the energy supplier is delivering additional environmental benefits over and above their existing regulatory obligations. The Scheme is run by a panel of experts who are qualified to assess the range of Green Energy products in the market. Ofgem, the government regulator of gas and electricity markets in the UK, also supports the scheme and the Green Energy Supply Certification Scheme is governed by the Green Supply Guidelines published by Ofgem in February 2009. These guidelines are then applied by the Panel through an agreed Rule Book with the administration undertaken by a Secretariat, the National Energy Foundation.
All Green Energy products certified under the Green Energy Certification Scheme must lead to environmental benefits over and above those that energy suppliers already deliver as part of their regulatory compliance.
The Renewables Obligation:
Energy suppliers receive a subsidy from customers to support this. In 2008, the cost to customers on their annual energy bill was about £10, but this will increase for each year that the Renewables Obligation is in place.
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT):
CERT is a Government policy setting the 6 main energy supply companies targets for reducing carbon emissions by delivering energy efficiency measures in people’s homes. In 2008, the cost to a customer using gas and electricity was about £38 on their annual bill. Over time CERT should help to reduce bills as homes become more energy efficient.
EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS):
The EU Emissions Trading Scheme puts a price on carbon dioxide emitted by power stations and other major industries. The cost is refelected in the wholesale price of electricity. Energy suppliers pass this cost on to customers. On an average annual bill the EU ETS cost around £31 in 2008.
For more information, visit www.greenenergyscheme.org
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