Green energy

Why does GreenPower cost more?

Power from renewable sources is currently more expensive than traditional generation such as coal fired power stations. This is partly because the renewable energy industry is still emerging and does not enjoy the same economies of scale as traditional power and production.

How can I be sure that Origin buys the correct amount of GreenPower?

In order to sell products that are GreenPower accredited, we must undertake an annual audit to show that we are buying enough GreenPower to match the amount our customers are purchasing.

For that audit, we must keep records of all the bills of all of our GreenPower customers and show through receipts that we have purchased the equivalent amount of GreenPower to put back into the grid.

Last year KPMG audited all of our records to make sure that we had purchased enough GreenPower to match our green products. If you are interested, you can view the summary of all retailers' audited returns at the GreenPower  website.

Where does my GreenPower come from?

GreenPower is electricity generated from renewable resources like wind, solar, hydro and biomass and is approved by the Government's National Green Power Accreditation Program. View some of the sources of Origin's renewable energy certificates from 2010.

The GreenPower website has a list of all GreenPower sources registered with the program. Visit http://www.greenpower.gov.au 

What types of renewable generation are there?

Some of the ways to produce renewable electricity include:

• Wind generation, this involves using the energy in wind to turn blades on windmills to produce electricity.
• Hydro generation, this involves using power that is derived from the force or energy of moving water to produce electricity.
• Solar generation, this involves using solar cells (photovoltaic cells) to convert the sun's rays into electricity. Because the sun is an almost infinite energy source, solar energy is regarded as being one of the most renewable forms of energy available.
• Biomass, this involves using organic sources such as plant material or methane gas from rubbish tips to generate electricity.
  
  We currently buy electricity from all these forms of renewable generation. We don't buy any electricity generated from the burning of wood waste from the clearing of native forests.

What is Green Gas?

We offer Australia's first Green gas to help minimise the impact of your gas consumption on greenhouse gas emissions. When you choose Origin Green Gas we offset the greenhouse gas emissions generated from your gas consumption. You'll receive supply in the same way as before, but you'll be doing your bit for the environment.

How does Green gas work?

We estimate the emissions produced by your natural gas consumption and offset them, by the tonne, through our independently audited Carbon Reduction Scheme™, which supports a range of verified greenhouse gas offset programs. For every tonne of emissions generated from your gas usage, we arrange for one tonne of emission reduction to occur.

Why does Origin Green Gas cost more?

When you choose our Green Gas or Green LP Gas, you are contributing to a range of verified greenhouse gas offset programs, through our independently audited Carbon Reduction Scheme™.

Is Green Gas available to bulk hot water customers?

Not at present. But if we get sufficient demand for the product we may make it available for customers.