Environmental analysis news: Green energy certification 'could drive innovation in the sector'

Power companies could become much more innovative in terms of how they generate and market their electricity offerings following the introduction of a new certification for green energy products, it has been claimed.

Claire Gibson, senior press officer for the Energy Retail Association, explained that the systems will encourage suppliers "to innovate and produce different kinds of tariff".

She added that this is likely to offer consumers a greater level of choice in terms of green energy tariffs, which it is hoped will lead to a greater uptake of this kind of product.

Energy regulator Ofgem launched the scheme to bring greater clarity to consumers and energy generators relating to environmentally friendly electricity tariffs.

The initiative will provide suppliers with additional carbon offsetting targets in order to achieve the green certification, which go beyond those set out in existing environmental legislation.

Under the Renewables Obligation, 9.1 per cent of the electricity provided to consumers in England and Wales must be generated from renewable sources, with the intention of increasing that percentage to 15 per cent by 2020.

Posted by Lauren Steadman