Green Electricity or Greenwashing

What Is a Green Electricity Offer?

A green electricity offer guarantees that, for each kWh you consume, an equivalent amount of renewable-origin electricity is injected into the grid. These renewable sources include hydroelectric, wind, solar photovoltaic, and biomass. For more information about the energy market in France, explore our complete guides.

The Guarantees of Origin Mechanism

In practice, the electricity you receive at home is the same as your neighbors'. It comes from the national electricity mix that transits through the network. What differentiates a green offer is the Guarantees of Origin (GO) mechanism.

A Guarantee of Origin is an electronic certificate attesting that 1 MWh of renewable electricity has been produced and injected into the European grid. By subscribing to a green offer, your supplier commits to purchasing as many GOs as you consume kWh.

Different Shades of Green

"Standard" Green Offers

Most green offers on the market work with Guarantees of Origin purchased separately from electricity. The supplier can buy electricity on the wholesale market (any mix) and separately purchase GOs to "green" this electricity.

This system is perfectly legal and regulated. However, it does not guarantee that the consumer's money directly finances new renewable installations.

"Premium" Green Offers

Some suppliers go further and offer offers where both electricity AND Guarantees of Origin come from the same producer. This is called "joint" purchasing or direct purchase agreements (PPA - Power Purchase Agreement).

These more committed offers ensure better traceability and more direct support for renewable energy producers.

Collective Self-Consumption Offers

Some innovative offers allow you to consume locally produced electricity, for example from solar panels installed in your neighborhood. This is the most transparent model in terms of energy origin.

The Question of Greenwashing

Why Some Talk About Greenwashing?

The main criticism of standard green offers is their limited impact on the energy transition. European Guarantees of Origin are cheap (a few euros per MWh) and often come from hydroelectric plants existing for decades.

Buying GOs from Norwegian dams doesn't create new renewable capacity. It's more an accounting transfer than an investment in the energy transition.

Additionality: The True Criterion

"Additionality" refers to an offer's ability to finance new renewable installations. A truly green offer should contribute to developing new green production capacities.

Some suppliers commit to investing part of their revenues in new projects. Others buy their GOs exclusively from French producers or small recent installations.

How to Distinguish a Real Green Offer?

Labels and Certifications

The ADEME VertVolt Label: Launched in 2021, this label distinguishes two levels of commitment. The "engaged" level guarantees that the supplier purchases electricity directly from French renewable producers. The "very engaged" level adds requirements for recent installations.

Questions to Ask

Where do the Guarantees of Origin come from? (Country, type of installation, age)
Does the supplier purchase electricity and GOs jointly?
Does the supplier invest in new production capacity?
What transparency on energy traceability?

The Supplier's Energy Mix

Suppliers must annually publish their energy mix. Compare it with the national mix to see if the offer is truly greener than average.

The Real Impact of Your Choice

A Symbolic but Useful Gesture

Even if the direct impact of standard green offers is limited, they send a market signal. The more demand for green electricity increases, the more producers will be incentivized to develop renewable energies.

Complementary Alternatives

To maximize your environmental impact:

Reduce your consumption (the best kWh is one not consumed)
Invest in your home's energy efficiency with MaPrimeRénov' renovation aid
Consider solar panels for self-consumption if you're a homeowner
Choose a premium green offer with additionality

Conclusion

Green electricity offers are not greenwashing, but not all are equal. The Guarantees of Origin mechanism is a first step, but for real impact on the energy transition, favor offers labeled VertVolt or those demonstrating concrete commitment to French renewable energies.

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes. Consult the ADEME website for the latest VertVolt label updates.