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Is it worth it? Green energy

by Sarah Callard

The burning of fossil fuels to make electricity is the single biggest cause of climate change in the UK today, responsible for 30 per cent of total CO2 emissions. With the average UK household responsible for about six tons of CO2 annually, one way to cut this – by up to a third, according to some estimates – is to switch to an energy supplier offering 100 per cent renewable electricity from wind, hydro or solar power. Light bulb Does 100 per cent renewable mean it comes directly from a renewable source? No, your power will still be supplied by your nearest power station. But for every unit of electricity you buy your supplier will ensure the same amount from a renewable source goes into the national grid. Confusingly, some suppliers offer energy from 100 per cent renewable sources, whereas others, such as Ecotricity, offer power from a mixture of renewable and conventional sources but invest heavily in building new renewable energy sources such as wind farms. Some suppliers, including British Gas and EDF Energy, also offer carbon offsetting schemes such as tree planting. Which is the 'greenest'? Providers investing in new renewable energy sources argue that they are because they are building an alternative infrastructure to fossil fuel-burning power stations. Suppliers offering 100 per cent renewable tariffs argue that they are providing a steady demand for existing renewable power sources. Legislation requires all UK suppliers to provide 10 per cent of their power from renewable sources by 2010. This has led to criticism that some green tariffs are charging a premium for something they are obliged to do. Does it cost more? It costs slightly more than standard tariffs because of the limited supply of renewable energy. Suppliers offering a mix of green and conventional power usually charge less. Visit this link .

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