Green electricity: A complete guide to offers and guarantees in 2025
Today,green electricity is a major pillar of France's energy transition. This form ofrenewable energy is distinguished by its production from natural sources such as sun, wind andwater. At a time when the energy market is evolving rapidly, understanding the specifics of green electricity offers becomes essential for consumers wishing to reduce their carbon footprint.
Guarantees of origin, local production, real impact on the energy mix: several factors need to be taken into account to make an informed choice.
In this article, we take a look at what green electricity really is, how it is tracked, and what it means for companies committed to decarbonization. Our aim: to untangle the real from the obscure, so that we can move forward in an informed way.
Contents
Understanding green electricity and its challenges
Green electricity is characterized by its low environmental impact. According to ADEME, the production of one kilowatt-hour ofwind-generated electricity generates just 7 grams of CO2, compared with over 1,000 grams for coal-fired generation. This significant difference in CO2 emissions explains consumers' growing interest in green electricity.
Sources of green energy production
The renewable energies that power France'sgreen electricity generation are constantly diversifying. The main sources include :
- Hydropower, the leading source of renewable generation
- Wind power: strong growth in the region
- Photovoltaic solar energy
- Biomass and methanization
France's energy mixis gradually integrating these green energy sources, complementing the country's historical nuclear production. This diversification ensures greater stability of the power grid, while reducing the overallcarbon footprint.
The system of guarantees of origin: traceability of green electricity
Guarantees of origin are the European traceability mechanism for green electricity. This system certifies that a given quantity of electricity comes from renewable sources. Each megawatt-hour produced generates a guarantee of origin, enabling electricity suppliers to offer their customers green electricity.
ADEME has created the VertVolt label to improve market transparency. The label distinguishes between two levels:
- VertVolt: guarantees the renewable origin of electricity
- VertVolt+: also provides direct support for renewable energy producers
Electricity offers on the French market
Today's market offers a variety of electricity products, including many green offerings. Consumers can choose between :
- The regulated electricity tariff, regulated by the public authorities
- Market offers, where the price per kWh varies from one electricity supplier to another
- Specific green offerings, with different levels of environmental commitment
The price scale for each offer depends on a number of factors, including the power subscribed and the billing options chosen. Consumers can compare offers by analyzing :
- Peak and off-peak kWh prices
- Monthly subscription
- Complementary services
- Level of environmental commitment
Choosing your green electricity supplier
To select a suitablegreen electricity offer, several criteria need to be taken into account:
- The origin of production: favoring French green to support the national industry
- Supplier transparency on sources of supply
- The supplier's real environmental commitment
- Offer value for money
Electricity suppliers with green offerings must demonstrate their commitment by acquiring guarantees of origin. The presence of the VertVolt label is a reliable indicator of the quality of the offer.
To subscribe online to agreen electricityconsumers now have simplified processes at their disposal. Subscriptions can generally be made entirely onlinewith personalized assistance for switching suppliers.
Companies can also take advantage of these offers to reduce their company's carbon footprint. In addition, they can implement other actions to actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissionsemissions, such as carrying out a carbon footprint including scopes 1, 2 and 3 and potentially scope 4 for avoided emissions. The LCA calculation calculations and the use of CO2 emission factors emission factors can refine this approach. Finally, carbon carbon offsetting can complement these efforts, and subsidies subsidies are sometimes available to support are sometimes available to support these initiatives.