Which? accused of defamation over ‘misleading’ REGO claims

The co-founder of Pure Planet has accused consumer group Which? of defamation after it claimed some suppliers were at risk of misleading customers over renewable energy.

Which? has also been forced to print a clarification in relation to claims made in a footnote of a magazine article about the issue against fellow challenger supplier Robin Hood Energy.

Pure Planet is an app-based renewable energy supplier which purchases power through renewable electricity guarantees of origin (REGO) certificates.

In a report published today (27 September) Which? said it is concerned that suppliers like Pure Planet are at risk of misleading customers.

For example, some of the suppliers who offer 100 per cent renewable energy do not generate renewable electricity themselves or have contracts to buy renewable electricity directly from generators.

The consumer group said it was concerned that the current system allowed suppliers relying solely on REGOs to “greenwash” their tariffs.

A survey conducted by Which? found 11 per cent of people believe energy firms who sell renewable electricity generate some of that electricity and 8 per cent that they generate all of it.

Under current Ofgem rules, suppliers which sell 100 per cent renewable electricity must have REGOs to prove it. However, they are not required to generate renewable electricity themselves, nor have contracts in place to buy it directly from generators.

The consumer group said it is concerned however that the current system allows suppliers relying solely on REGOs to “greenwash” their tariffs.

Steven Day, co-founder of Pure Planet, said Which? has shown a “fundamental misunderstanding” of the way electricity is generated.

He said: “Pure Planet is proud to supply 100 per cent renewable electricity and carbon offset gas to homes all over Britain. Any suggestion that we mislead our members is both untrue and defamatory.

“Which? has shown a fundamental misunderstanding of the way electricity is generated, certified, traded, managed by the grid, and supplied. As a consequence it has labelled many supply companies in completely inappropriate ways.

“All green suppliers have to use REGOs to verify that the electricity used by their customers is matched by electricity generated from renewable sources.

“Pure Planet uses the very same green certification as ever other green supplier. There are no separate or different grades of REGO.

“Therefore, for Which? to suggest some companies are misleading their customers is totally false and shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the electricity market.”

In response to Day’s comments, Which? said it stands by its research.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Robin Hood Energy also criticised the consumer group.

They said: “Since July 2018, 100 per cent of the electricity we supply to UK homes and businesses is purchased from a partner who source from specified UK wind and solar projects.

“We are also looking at several options to become a green generator ourselves through our own projects.

“It’s extremely frustrating and unhelpful that Which? have used data that is over 18 months out of date in this article in terms of where and how we purchase our energy.”

Another supplier, Green Star Energy, accused Which? of bias against smaller suppliers.

In an email sent to the consumer group seen by Utility Week, Green Star said: “We would like to express our disappointment regarding the inaccurate positioning of the article’s content.

“Green Star Energy is an energy supplier, rather than a generator. We do not need to own renewable generation, nor have power purchase agreements in place, to supply 100 per cent renewable electricity to our customers.

“Purchase of REGOs to substantiate supplying green energy is not a greenwash; your presentation of it as such is concerning.

“We are certified 100 per cent renewable as per our fuel mix disclosure, evidenced through the purchase of REGOs.

“Furthermore, as it is only the much larger suppliers that have the luxury of direct renewable generation, or indeed of entering into direct PPAs, the article seems singularly biased against smaller suppliers.”

Richard Headland, Which? editor-in-chief, said: “As consumers grow ever-more environmentally-conscious, it’s concerning that some suppliers appear to be ‘greenwashing’ their energy tariffs, which could risk misleading customers.

“We believe there needs to be greater clarity on how renewable electricity is defined and marketed. People can only make informed decisions about where to buy their energy from if firms are more upfront and transparent about their green credentials.”

Earlier this year large energy supplier Eon said it would be offering all its customers 100 per cent renewable energy.

Eon will generate electricity from its own renewable assets, covering more than half of its electricity customer base (1.7 million homes). It also has agreements with independent wind generators around the country to directly purchase the electricity produced.

The remaining electricity is matched with 100 per cent renewable electricity sourced externally through initiatives such as REGO certificates.

The use of REGOs prompted some to question whether Eon’s announcement was quite as revolutionary as first thought.

The company said: “These certificates guarantee that an equivalent amount of renewable electricity was generated to the amount supplied.

“Eon has been a driving force behind the renewables revolution in the UK. Our first wind farm was built on Anglesey back in 1992. We were behind the country’s first offshore wind farm 20 years ago and last year completed our latest project off the Sussex coast.

“In the last decade we have helped the industry to reach a place where environmentally friendly power sources can outperform fossil generators.”

You can read more about the use of REGO certificates here