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What is green energy?
Green electricity, also known asrenewable energyis generated from environmentally-friendly sourcesoffering a sustainable and ecological alternative to traditional electrical energy.
Each green electricity supplier selects a specific renewable energy source to offer its services. These sources can include :
- the biomass,
- from wind farms,
- from hydraulic turbines,
- or even photovoltaic panels.
What's more, green electricity offers a number of major advantages:
- participation in lower gas emissions,
- promoting variety of energy sources,
- reinforcement of the security and theenergy independence,
- contribution to combating climate change,
- and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
In fact, when we refer to "green energy", it's not anodyne. In fact, the carbon footprint is irrefutable:
- 22 g CO2/km for wind power and 78 g CO2/km for solar energy emissions,
- 430 g CO2/km for gas and more than 1,000 g CO2/km for coal emissions.
If you didn't know, between now and 2030the France plans to generate 40 % of its electricity from renewable sourcesaccording to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition. According to estimates, this will result in a reduction of around 5 % in harmful effects on the ecosystem.
Exponential growth in recent years
According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global capacity of production of energy from renewable sources would have increased by 50% between 2019 and 2024, withphotovoltaic solar energy representing 60% of this growth.
Here is a breakdown of world electricity production in the form of a pie chart, illustrating each type of energy source:
Source IEA, 2019 data
At present, only 20 % of the energy consumed in the European Union comes from renewable sources. Although this figure has more than doubled since 2004, it is still insufficient.
Renewable energies in France come in a multitude of forms. Although the biomass and hydropower are the most developed, others such as thewind power and heat pumps are making rapid progress in recent years.
Here is a table summarising the share of renewable energies according to the 3 main types of green electricity available in France.
| Nature de l’énergie verte renouvelable | Part de la production d’électricité verte en France | Part de la production électrique par an |
|---|---|---|
Hydropower | 49% | 12% |
Wind energy | 33,23% | 8,14% |
Solar energy | 11% | 2,72% |
Source : Engie
According to an ADEME study on green energy, 96% of French people recognise their benefits for the environment and 64% would be prepared to pay more for this transition.
Despite green energy offers from suppliers, domestic production remains limited. Producing green energy at home is therefore a solution for reducing the ecological footprint of electric cars.
What does this type of electricity offer?
Although some components of green electricity production facilities require rare materials, their environmental and social impact remains much lower than that of nuclear and coal.
An energy supplier claiming to supply green electricity must justify the origin of this energy and guarantee that it will be injected into the network in a quantity equivalent to that marketed. In other words, every kilowatt-hour consumed by a customer must correspond to the production of one kilowatt-hour of green energy.
To do this, it can obtain a electronic guarantee of origin certificate (GO). This certificate, issued by Powernextis subject to audits to verify the actual use of renewable energy. This certificate, which has a valid for one yearsays :
- the type, date and location of energy production,
- but also the capacity of the facilities.
In short, having this certificate ensures transparency and the traceability the origin of the electricity supplied. This also implies that the supplier undertakes to feed the same quantity of electricity sold to its customers back into the grid.
But that's not all: in addition to this certification, theADEMEthe agency responsible for energy transition, has introduced the GreenVolt label to assess suppliers' commitment to paying renewable energy producers in France.
This label distinguishes between suppliers' offers according to 2 levels of commitment:
- The "committed" oneThe supplier buys a quantity of electricity equivalent to that which it sells, from renewable energy producers in France, in addition to guarantee of origin certificates.
- The "very committed" oneThe supplier buys as much renewable energy in France as it sells electricity, of which at least 25 % comes from recent installations initiated by local authorities with shared governance or by other players without public support.
Can I use green electricity to recharge my electric vehicle?
Opting for an electric car represents a an environmentally responsible decisioneffective in reducingcarbon footprint. Its association with renewable energy sources accentuates this commitment. Both the public and the French government are showing a keen interest in these alternatives, pointing to an increase in the number of electric vehicles connected to renewable energies.
💡Did you know ? If you have solar panels on your property, you can install a charging point and an energy management system so that your electric car recharges only when your solar panels are producing electricity.
Read also : Solar panels for electric cars: everything you need to know
What's more, green electricity suppliers are not necessarily more expensive than others. They offer the chance to benefit from clean, locally-produced energy.
To consult : The impact of rising electricity prices on my electric car
In short, the ecological transition is achieved by changing the energy mix and adopting more appropriate consumption patterns. By subscribing to a green electricity offer that is more respectful of the environment, you are making an active commitment to this ecological transition.
Green energy offers available
As we said earlier, making an electric car part of your daily routine is a resolutely forward-looking choice. To maximise its ecological impact, it's crucial to recharge it with green energy.
Fortunately, many suppliers offer electricity from renewable sources. To list just a few, here are 3 of the green energy offers for recharging your electric car in 2024.
Ekwateur
Ekwateur is a French energy supplier that stands out for its transparency and commitment to renewable energy.
Here are the special features of this energy supplier:
- Electricity 100% renewable : The electricity supplied comes from French renewable sources (hydro, wind, solar) thanks to Guarantees of Origin.
- Clear and competitive price per kWh excl.: Offers at fixed or variable kW prices.
- No bi-temporal pricing Ekwateur: unlike some of its competitors, Ekwateur does not offer electricity prices that vary according to off-peak and peak times.
- Online customer service onlyThe contract and customer service are managed exclusively online via their website.
- Offers based on transparency Ekwateur customers can choose the origin of their electricity, whether from France or Europe, enabling them to better understand and control their environmental impact.
- Active participation : Ekwateur promotes a collaborative model where customers can play an active part in the energy transition. They offer energy bonuses and schemes such as the Certificats d'Économies d'Énergie (CEE) to encourage energy renovations.
In addition, Ekwateur offers various 100% green electricity packages:
- Variable offerElectricity from wind turbines, photovoltaic panels and hydroelectric dams. Prices may vary according to market conditions.
- Fixed offerFor those who prefer price stability, Ekwateur also offers contracts with fixed tariffs over a defined period.
- Gas 100% renewablePioneering the distribution of 100% renewable gas, enabling customers to reduce their carbon footprint even for heating and cooking.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is a French electricity supplier offering green electricity at competitive prices.
But that's not all: it stands out for its commitment to renewable energy, its ecological certifications, and its varied offers tailored to the needs of environmentally conscious consumers.
Here's what they propose:
- Attractive pricesThe "Eco-Conso Fixe" offer (with fixed prices until 2025) is currently 22% cheaper than the regulated sales tariff in France, i.e. a price per kWh excluding tax of €0.2018 (in May 2024).
- Special offer for electric vehiclesHappy Charge is a special offer for owners of electric vehicles with a special price structure.
- Green electricityAll the electricity supplied by Octopus Energy comes from French renewable sources (24.6% from photovoltaics and 25.4% from wind power).
Note that Octopus Energy, which has the VertVolt "committed" label, also offers deals with tariffs that fluctuate according to the wholesale electricity market. These offers can save you money if you adjust your consumption to off-peak hours.
Bellenergy
Bellenergie is another French green electricity supplier, offering fixed-price electricity at competitive prices.
In 2024, La Bellenergie is offering 3 main electricity packages, all based on a fixed price for a set period of time, giving customers the benefit of stable and predictable tariffs.
Here are their specific features:
- Competitive pricesThe "Constance" offer, which is one of 2 (along with "Prudence" and "Garance"), has a price per kWh excluding VAT of €0.1992, which is lower than the regulated sales tariff in France (in May 2024).
- Fixed price contractsBellenergie offers two-year fixed-price electricity contracts, protecting you from fluctuations in the electricity market.
- French green electricity 100% All the electricity supplied by La Belle Energie comes from French renewable sources (hydro, wind and solar power).
- Customisation The possibility of personalising your offer according to your needs, in particular the duration of the contract and the source of your electricity (more expensive option to find out the exact region).
Its various offers are 20 % cheaper than the regulated tariff, offering substantial savings while supporting renewable energies. The supplier also manages subscriptions and acts as the interface between consumers and Enedis, the operator of the electricity distribution network in France.
Summary table of available green energy offers
| Supplier | Main offers | Features | Price per kWh excl. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ekwateur | - Variable offer - Fixed offer - Gas 100% renewable | - 100% renewable (hydro, wind, solar) - Transparency on the origin of electricity - Online management only - No bi-temporal pricing | 0.1999 (Electricité Verte Exclusive Selectra) |
| Octopus Energy | - Eco-Conso Fixed - Happy Charge (VE) | - 100% renewable (24.6% photovoltaic, 25.4% wind) - Special offer for electric vehicles - VertVolt "committed" label - Fixed or variable price offers | 0.2018 (Eco-Conso Fixed) |
| Bellenergy | - Constance - Be careful - Garance | - 100% French renewable - 2-year fixed price contracts - Customisation possible - Subscription management and interface with Enedis | 0.1992 (Constance) |
Conclusion
Recharging your electric vehicle with green energy is an excellent way of reducing your overall environmental impact. By choosing green energy, you are contributing to the energy transition and helping to build a more sustainable future.
As well as having a positive impact on the environment, using green energy to recharge your electric car can also lead to long-term financial savings, while supporting the development of more sustainable and accessible recharging infrastructures.
Every little bit counts, and together we can make a big difference to our planet.
