Council switches to gold standard green electricity tariff | |
11 March 2021Cheshire West and Chester Council will be switching its electricity tariff from April 2021 to one that is 100 per cent traceable and zero carbon* to ensure any payments to its energy supplier is funding renewable energy sources only.The green energy market can be complex, with many companies now offering competitive green electricity tariffs for both residential properties and businesses. Unfortunately, not all green electricity tariffs are equal as energy companies can purchase Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates, without directly buying or generating renewable electricity, such as solar energy. Although the Council switched to a green electricity tariff in April 2020, there was a potential that some REGOs provided via this tariff were being purchased in a way that may not entirely fund 100 per cent renewable generators. The new electricity product ensures that 100 per cent of the REGO certificates are purchased from primary sources of renewable electricity generated solely via wind, solar and hydro. Cllr Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency, said: "When we declared the Climate Emergency in May 2019, we knew the Council would need to lead by example by ensuring, as an organisation, we were taking steps to become carbon neutral. By switching to this gold standard of renewable electricity tariff it provides increased traceability and transparency about where our electricity is being sourced from. "I'd urge everyone to look into switching your home energy provider to one that provides renewable energy, if you've not already done so. You may be surprised at the savings you could make whilst helping the environment at the same time." More information about the REGO scheme can be found on Ofgem's website: www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/rego/about-rego-scheme * Traceable means that the source of energy purchased can be tracked and zero carbon means using a form of energy that does not produce carbon dioxide emissions in its generation. | |
