"Our seal of approval creates a double benefit for consumers: they receive one hundred percent genuine green electricity and bring about guaranteed investments in new plants and innovative energy projects," explains Rosa Hemmers, Chair of the GSL. "With the revised criteria, we are providing new impetus in areas that, in addition to the construction of new plants, play a central role in the success of the energy transition. For example, through innovative forms of green power supply, special funding opportunities for citizen energy projects and facilitated grants for energy efficiency measures."
In order to promote the expansion of renewable energies in an environmentally compatible manner, the Grüner Strom-Label applies high environmental standards to new plants, which often exceed the legal requirements. These requirements have been specified and in some cases tightened.
For the first time, the support of citizen energy projects forms an independent area in the Green Electricity Criteria. The aim is to provide targeted support for citizen energy companies in their start-up phase and in the realization of projects. "Citizen participation is immensely important for the acceptance of the energy transition on site," Rosa Hemmers emphasizes. "This has unfortunately been made more difficult by politicians recently. We would therefore like to encourage energy providers to support citizens in their commitment to a clean energy supply."
Since the start of certification in 1998, the Grüner Strom-Label criteria catalog has been adapted for the fifth time in rotation. A total of 24 organizations participated in the current development.
The GSL has summarized the most important points of the new criteria catalog in a brochure. The brochure and the complete catalog of criteria 2015 can be found at here.
About Grüner Strom Label e.V.
The Grüner Strom Label e.V. certifies green energy products. The association awards two seals of approval for this purpose: the Green Electricity Label for green electricity with added value and the Green Gas Label for environmentally compatible biogas. The association is backed by seven non-profit environmental and consumer associations and peace organizations. The Green Electricity and Green Gas labels are the only quality seals for green electricity and biogas in Germany that are supported by leading environmental associations.
