Around 57 percent of the over one billion kilowatt hours came from Germany. A further 33 percent came from Austria, followed by France and Switzerland with around five percent each. In previous years, too, most of the certified green electricity came from German plants.

Certification with the Green Electricity label only allows genuine green electricity. Pure trading in virtual guarantees of origin - common practice in the green electricity market - is not permitted under the green electricity label of the environmental associations. As surveys show, consumers also expect energy providers to purchase actual green electricity for their customers.

"The concern that consumers are being misled by insufficient information about the origin of the electricity when choosing a green power product is justified. From our point of view, it is important that not only green certificates cross the counter, but kilowatt hours from renewable electricity production. This makes the green electricity market more comprehensible and credible for the customer," says Rosa Hemmers, Chairwoman of Grüner Strom Label e.V. (GSL).

More and more customers want to know where their electricity comes from, especially commercial customers. The new criteria for the Grüner Strom-Label take this into account. Since January 1, 2015, energy suppliers have been able to have their green electricity additionally labeled if it comes from the region or from their own plants. In addition, the GSL supports the initiative of some green power suppliers for a green power market model. The model allows more genuine green power from domestic plants to be brought directly to the customer.

You can find out more about the electricity supply requirements and other criteria of the Grüner Strom-Label in the information brochure of the Green Electricity Criteria 2015 on www.gruenerstrom.info.

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.