We can all "do our bit" to support renewable energy by using it for our homes and businesses. In 1998, the British Government introduced competition into the electricity supply chain, by de-regulating the industry. This gave us the choice to buy our electricity from a variety of sources. We can now buy renewable energy from a number of companies.
What
are green tariffs?
There are two types of green tariff available:
1.
Renewable Tariff: This is where every unit of electricity bought by
a consumer is generated from a renewable energy source.
2. Eco-Funds Tariff: This generates an additional premium which
is invested in new renewable energy projects.
What
is Green Energy?
Green energy can be loosely defined as energy from renewable or sustainable
sources. Examples of green energy include wind power, solar energy, biomass
energy and hydro power. There are also "waste to energy" projects
which is sometimes considered renewable because a large proportion of
the energy is derived from biomass (or plant material).
Two of Cheshire's local authorities have sourced renewable energy for their buildings. Cheshire County Council has 96% of its electrical needs met by renewable energy supplied by Scottish and Southern. Chester City Council has all its electrical needs met by Scottish Power. The Scottish Power scheme is a fund with the power generated by hydro and wind power.
The CREI cannot recommend a specific green energy scheme for Cheshire residents or businesses, but would suggest you make a start by investigating the following websites.
Future Energy is an accreditation scheme for renewable energy. It vets and audits renewable energy offerings from electricity suppliers. This allows consumers to be confident about electricity supplier's claims about renewable energy.
Friends of the Earth provide a league table of suppliers providing renewable energy. Currently top of their list is Unit[e].
Greenpeace
have been playing an important role in promoting renewable energy, particularly
with their involvement in Juice.
This supplier was granted consent for the North
Hoyle offshore windfarm-located off the North Wales coast. This development
will be Cheshire's nearest offshore windfarm!.
