What is green electricity?

Green electricity is electricity that is generated from green, low carbon sources. These include wind, water, sunlight and biomass.

Why use green electricity?

Using green electricity means that no fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil have been burned to produce your power, so you are not contributing to climate change by watching your TV if it is powered in this way.

Where can I get it from?

A number of electricity companies now supply green energy tariffs. There are a variety of different green energy tariffs for you to choose from. You can switch to a supplier that provides renewable electricity, where the energy will probably come from wind power or hydroelectric power. Or you can choose a scheme that supplies an equivalent amount of renewable energy into the national grid for the amount you consume, although the energy you use may come from a traditional energy source. Other schemes still make contributions to environmental projects on a regular basis. You might find that your existing supplier provides this service - and what's more it might even be cheaper than your existing deal.

You can find the best green tariffs available in Medway here.

More facts about renewable energy

The energy used in manufacturing and erecting a wind turbine is paid back in three-six months of operation. With a 1,000mile coastline, Britain has the greatest potential for wind energy generation in Europe.

Hydroelectricity is a generic term for energy created by falling water. For instance, hydroelectric dams hold back water, creating a reservoir of potential power. A water gate lets it surge through a tunnel leading to turbines. The water turns the turbines, which in turn spin electricity generators.

Harnessed by solar panels, the sun's energy can be converted to electricity or used to heat water. A single photovoltaic (PV) solar panel can provide enough electricity to power a TV.

Lines of floating power generators offshore or on the shoreline capture wave energy and turn it into electricity. Tidal barrages trap the predictable energy in tides, exploiting the natural rise and fall of the sea level. 

There is also huge untapped potential in biomass, landfill gas energy, and combined heat and power (CHP).