Repower

There is no definitive, generally accepted definition of «green power» or «green electricity». The terms are used for many different forms of renewable generation, products and ages of (hydroelectric) power plants, whose environmental impact and relevance vary widely. This creates a great deal of confusion (nowhere more apparent than in the German media), undermines credibility and transparency, and is altogether very unproductive in terms of promoting renewable energy.

Our understanding of «green power» is aligned with the definition laid down by the VUE association for environmentally sound energy, which has gained broad acceptance in the electricity industry, at least in Switzerland. We only use the term «green power» for power generation and/or products that combine the following criteria:

• Promotional effect («additionality»): an appropriate premium, interests in new assets, or a promotional scheme
• Greening hydropower (locally/regionally): eco-effective (greenhydro Standard) or eco-efficient (mains water power), and involving greening in the form of renaturation measures
• Climate friendly (globally): low CO₂ emissions (benchmark: modern combined cycle power plants)

The «naturemade star» label currently combines these criteria, so we only use the term «green power» for power products and generation certified under this label. In all other cases we avoid the use of the word «green», instead using the more general term «renewable».