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Green energy ratings

Published:: 26 November 2007
Topic:: News,Gas & Electricity,Money

A new rating system aims to help consumers compare energy companies' green tariffs.

The system, devised by the energy watchdog Ofgem, will rate electricity deals between A and F. The aim will be to rate deals in the same way as household appliances are graded to reflect their energy efficiency

Two sets of guidelines will be used, one covering tariffs for energy from renewable sources, the other for tariffs from energy sources with low carbon dioxide emissions.

All tariffs will be rated according to their "carbon intensity". Companies' claims will also be verified independently. The new guidelines are expected to be in place by summer 2008.

Alistair Buchanan, Ofgem's chief executive, says he is confident the new system will cut confusion. Energy customers will have more confidence when it comes to shopping around for green deals, he believes.

Buchanan says: "Currently, customers find it difficult to compare the environmental benefits of the various energy deals on offer.

"The new rating scheme will eliminate confusion and encourage customers to seek deals that best meet their needs, and will give suppliers more incentives to innovate and develop new tariffs and products."

Paul Schofield, head of utilities at moneysupermarket.com, also welcomes the proposals: "It is a good idea and long overdue. It has taken almost two years to produce. The problem at the moment is that there are quite a number of so-called 'green products' and some people need help and guidance from a ranking system."

At present, while comparison sites like moneysupoermarket.com uses a pie chart to tell consumers about companies' different sources of energy, including renewable ones, this is done at provider level and does not look at individual products.

Schofield adds that when it is introduced, moneysupermarket.com hopes to be able to rank individual deals both by price and their green credentials.

When details of the guidelines are published next year, energy suppliers will have six months to develop a certification scheme which must be operational by next summer. The ratings will be independently checked to ensure they comply with Ofgem's standards.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that any rates or deals mentioned in this article applied at the time of writing and may no longer be available/applicable today.