Our GreenPower™ renewable energy ranking is an independent rating developed by the government which tells you how much of the green electricity you are buying is actually generated from new green sources.
What is GreenPower™?
GreenPower™ is a joint initiative of the New South Wales, South Australian, Queensland, Victorian, ACT and Western Australian governments to provide a standard accreditation system for rating renewable energy and green electricity products. If you buy a GreenPower™ accredited renewable electricity product from an electricity supplier you know it meets stringent environmental standards. GreenPower™ is also used by the State governments to encourage the development of “new” renewable energy sources. Only renewable energy or green electricity sources built after January 1st, 1997 are considered for accreditation. When you buy a GreenPower™ product from an energy retailer, you can be sure that if the retailer states it is 50% GreenPower™ that 50% of the energy you pay for is generated from these accredited sources. GreenPower™ retailers' sales and purchases are independently audited on an annual basis so you can be assured you are getting the environmentally friendly product you asked for.
What are the aims of GreenPower™?
The aim of the GreenPower™ initiative is to encourage the construction of new renewable electricity generators across Australia, thereby decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing the sustainability of Australia’s electricity supply.
For the consumer, the aim is to provide choice and increased confidence in credible renewable energy products. GreenPower™, is also a way of promoting awareness of the benefits of renewable energy, thereby encouraging growth in consumer demand for more environmentally friendly power.
What type of sources are eligible for accreditation?
Renewable energy is energy that never runs out and is derived from sources that cannot be depleted or have an impact on the increased production of greenhouse gases. GreenPower™ is renewable energy produced from clean renewable sources such as solar, wind, water, biomass, geo-thermal or wave and tidal power.
Each source has its own accreditation rules. For example biomass is green electricity generated from sources such as landfill gases and other waste products and energy crops. Only the timber waste sourced from plantation forests that are sustainably managed are eligible for GreenPower™ accreditation. If the wood or waste came from an old growth forest, it would not be eligible. Grains for crop fuels can only be grown on land if it was cleared before 1990.
How to get started?
Do you want to do your bit for the environment and switch to green electricity or compare renewable energy plans? With ShopAround it couldn't be easier. Just go to our electricity comparator and view the GreenPower™ column in the results table. You can also sort by the GreenPower™ rating by simply clicking on the column heading.