By Victoria Dixon
The message is loud and clear about the need for everybody to be greener and try and preserve the precious resources of our planet and that requirement has driven the introduction of a number of green energy initiatives in the UK.
You can now compare the various green energy tariffs at sites like Gocompare.com and see what it might mean to you and your energy bills.
Meeting energy goals
The good news is that UK is currently on course to meet its renewable energy goals with the use of wind power increasing noticeably and gas usage subsequently falling by more than fifth in comparison.
These figures are an indication that the UK should be able to meet 2020 clean energy and climate goals if the current progress on green energy initiatives is maintained into the future.
The European Union set the UK a specific energy target, which was to be in a position where the country was able to produce 15% of its total energy from renewable sources by target date of 2020.
Switching to renewable energy
There has been a growing number of renewable energy firms coming to the domestic market in recent years and UK householders have been switching to these so-called green tariffs in record numbers, despite the fact that the decision will cost them more.
Householders with a green conscience are currently willing to pay a premium for signing up to a green tariff but prices can still turn out to be competitive in comparison to the standard prices of the so-called big-six suppliers.
What a green tariff means
If you are considering signing up to one of the available green tariffs you should be aware that the energy you will be using to heat and power your home won’t be completely renewable at the present time.
Power is still currently drawn from the National Grid and and because just 17% of the energy produced is from renewable sources at the moment, this means that you will still be using energy produced from a mixture of coal, gas and nuclear sources.
What is distinctive about the green tariff however, is the fact that the power that is pumped back into the national network by your energy firm will be from a renewable source such as wind, solar, biomass or hydro and it will be at a level that matches your energy use.
Already paying for renewable energy
You may be surprised to discover that even if you don’t sign up for a green tariff you are still already making a contribution towards Britain’s renewable energy costs as part of the country’s obligation to source 20% of its energy from green sources by the target date of 2020.
On top of this, if you are trying to do your bit with regard to encouraging renewable energy and are prepared to sign up to a green energy tariff, you will be disappointed to discover that your efforts are presently unlikely to increase the level of clean energy being generated or even reduce carbon emissions.
These are still early days for renewable energy in a number of ways and at least if you currently sign up to a green tariff, you know what you are getting for your money.
***
Victoria Dixon is a work from home mom with a penchant for environmental issues. Her articles appear on news and environmental related blogs plus green lifestyle sites.
Share:
Comments
comments