24 July 2008
Energy regulator Ofgem has called for more transparency when it comes to green gas and electricity tariffs to give consumers more assurance. Increasing numbers of energy suppliers are now offering green tariffs and demand among eco-conscious consumers is growing. According to Ofgem, around 350,000 domestic gas and electricity customers have already signed up to green energy deals. But the watchdog said new guidance is needed to define what a green tariff should offer over and above standard tariffs and how it benefits the environment. Ofgem claims that some green gas and electricity tariffs have no additional environmental advantages over those derived from the provider's usual activities in renewable energy and green technology. "We want suppliers to stop re-packaging their existing environmental activity as green immediately and to align their marketing with our guidelines by September 2008," said Ofgem Chief Executive Alistair Buchanan. The Telegraph reports that a new Renewable Energy Strategy published by the government concedes that the push to generate more energy from green sources will add further to household gas and electricity bills.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
Content for the uSwitch.com market news service is provided by a third party, Adfero Ltd. Whilst uSwitch.com makes reasonable efforts to check the reliability of this content, uSwitch.com does not guarantee the accuracy thereof or endorse the views or opinions given by Adfero Ltd, unless expressly stated otherwise.