Eco-responsibility requires that more and more energy suppliers offer you "green electricity". Faced with the multiplicity of approaches, it can be difficult to decide between contracts that are often very different. The VertVolt label simply allows you to see things more clearly.

Green electricity: what is it?

Express definition

On a daily basis, we all consume the same electricity in our homes, our professional establishments or our public places. But when we talk about "green electricity ", we are talking above all about electricity produced strictly using renewable energy sources. In other words, thanks to hydraulic, wind, solar or even biomass energy.

How the European market works and its limits

In the current European market, each renewable energy producer is free to issue guarantees of origin (GOs), i.e. renewable production certificates. These depend on the volume of electricity produced. In a second step, these producers sell these certificates to electricity suppliers. The latter can be established in their own country, but can also be established in neighbouring countries. Thanks to these certificates, they benefit from additional income from the sale of the electricity produced.

Two limitations should be noted:

• the price of certificates, very low, contributes little to the financing of new renewable energy installations,
• The electricity suppliers can perfectly well buy certificates from renewable energy producers without buying electricity from them. In fact, a supplier can therefore very well offer green electricity without it necessarily coming from renewable energies. If the supplier has only bought certificates from a producer, it could perfectly well come partly from nuclear production.

A label for greater transparency

To be able to boast of providing this green electricity, transparency must be in place. The supplier must be able to prove that a quantity of renewable electricity equivalent to the consumption of its customers has been injected into the network.

Official certifications

The Guarantees of Origin (GO) mechanism is European. It has been supplemented since 2021 by the ADEME VertVolt label. Designed and developed in favor of more renewable electricity, it offers consumers the possibility of better choosing their energy supplier. Thanks to it, it is possible to compare truly green offers.

Understanding the VertVolt label: how is it awarded?

The VertVolt label is awarded to suppliers according to two levels of commitment.

Two levels of requirement

These two different levels of requirement attest to the involvement of these suppliers and allow you to make an informed and conscious choice.

Level 1

This level concerns committed suppliers. It corresponds to suppliers who have purchased from renewable energy producers a quantity of electricity equivalent to that which they sell to their customers.

Level 2

Level 2 suppliers demonstrate a particularly strong commitment. To do this, they must have purchased a quantity of electricity equal to that which they wish to sell to their customers. These purchases must have been made from renewable energy producers located in France. Finally, at least 25% of this electricity must come from installations set up by local authorities with shared governance or without public support.

Other obligations for labeled suppliers

As part of the VertVolt label, suppliers are also required to provide some additional information.

Where electricity comes from

This applies both to the technology used and the production region.

The share of nuclear power

Suppliers must certify whether or not they have also used nuclear electricity.

Also to be mentioned: purchases from producers who have not benefited from public support or shared governance, or the proportion of the supplier's customers having chosen a labeled offer.

Finally, suppliers must commit to providing information to consumers to encourage them to take the path of energy savings.

Green electricity, consumer side

Why trust the VertVolt label?

If you are concerned about the environment and want to take full part in this energy transition that concerns us all, you have 3 good reasons to choose a VertVolt labeled offer.

To support renewable energies

By choosing the VertVolt label, you are certain that your electricity comes from French renewable sources. In this way, you are making your contribution and making a concrete commitment to the development of new infrastructures.

To support those who are committed

The VertVolt label gives you the opportunity to support producers ofrenewable energies truly committed to the energy transition.

To fight against greenwashing

In other words: against those who use the ecological conscience of consumers, to better deceive them. The VertVolt label highlights certified offers that have a real impact on the country's energy transition.

How to choose your green electricity offer?

Do you want to choose green electricity for your daily life? If so, it is important to proceed in several steps.

Select the offers that suit you

In most cases, it is an attractive rate or a special offer that will make you want to discover in more detail the offer of these suppliers. If you are sensitive to environmental issues, it is crucial to go further.

Check if these suppliers have obtained the VertVolt label

Secondly, it is essential to check whether the offer is really green. To make sure, you can consult the general conditions of sale of the contract. You can also choose to refer to the official website of the ADEME label where the labeled suppliers are listed. On this occasion, you will obviously be able to know the level of commitment of the supplier concerned.

Since 2021, the VertVolt label has offered consumers the opportunity to know precisely the origin of the green energy they consume. By choosing an offer from a labeled supplier, you have the opportunity to actively participate in the development of renewable energies in France. More than ever, you can control the way you consume energy! One more step towards a more eco-responsible world.