Wednesday 15 February 2023

Increase in business customers using green energy products from SSE Energy Solutions

Increase in business customers using green energy products from SSE Energy Solutions

The business energy arm of SSE received the independent EcoAct verification and assurance for the sixth year in a row. It coincides with the company reporting it delivered green energy products to 30% of business customers during 2021/22, compared to 6% in 2020/21.

The rise followed SSE Energy Solutions placing new fixed-electricity contracts to include 100% renewable electricity, at no extra cost to customers. 100% renewable electricity is now standard for business customers with SSE.

The company also implemented a simplified Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) to enable a wider range of customers to purchase fully traceable energy directly from SSE’s renewable assets. In addition, in September 2021, SSE Energy Solutions launched the Green EV tariff which supports businesses to charge fleets with 100% renewable electricity.

As well as EcoAct assurance, renewable electricity generated from SSE’s own hydro plants and wind farms is already backed by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) and renewable gas is backed by Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGOs) or Biomethane Certificates (BMCs).

The third-party recognition from EcoAct aims to assist business customers looking to cut down their Scope 2 emissions in their own market-based emissions reporting. The status provides additional proof for businesses to report zero emissions electricity supply as part of their environmental strategies.

Mark Keeling, SSE Energy Solutions Sales Director, said: “Each year a growing number of businesses come to us looking to find out more about green energy and renewables. With a leap of 6% of businesses customers to 30% utilising green energy products in just a year, it is clear to us that our customers are serious about reducing their carbon footprint.

“We want the process of going green to be as straightforward as possible, and our renewed verification from EcoAct is an important part of that. Having an independent verification from a respected third party like EcoAct means we can help our customers display their environmental credentials with real conviction.”

EcoAct is an international climate consultancy and a CDP Accredited Provider. As part of a rigorous assurance process, EcoAct assessed the environmental claims of SSE’s Green Electricity and Green Gas products against the Greenhouse Gas Protocol reporting and quality criteria.

They analysed SSE’s REGO (Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin) and RGGO (Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin)/BMC(Biomethane Certificates) product specifications and evaluated REGO and RGGO/BMC balance for the most recent Fuel Mix Disclosure period. The company’s design and operation processes, risk management and data processing for renewable gas and electricity were also tested and confirmed by EcoAct.

Gavin Tivey, a Principal Consultant from EcoAct, commented on the partnership, saying: “The success of the energy transition will depend on the transformation of the energy sector from fossil-based to lower carbon energy sources. We are thrilled to see SSE Energy Solutions consolidate its business model, based on more green electricity, renewable gas, energy efficiency and more low-carbon smart solutions that work for their clients, whatever stage they are in their journey to net zero.”

To support SSE Energy Solutions and their clients measure and report on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, EcoAct conducted an independent third-party audit to assure that their renewable electricity and gas products are compliant with the GHG Protocol Guidance. This ensures that the associated green electricity purchased by SSE Energy Solutions’ clients has been generated from renewable sources and can therefore be reportable as “zero-carbon” (for electricity using a Scope 2 market-based accounting approach), whilst their clients of the associated green gas can report reduced emissions.

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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