Green Electricity
Green electricity is electrical energy from renewable sources such as wind, sun, water, or biomass. Note: the term itself is not legally protected in Germany.
Key Takeaways
- •Green electricity is electrical energy from renewable sources such as wind, sun, water, or biomass. Note: the term itself is not legally protected in Germany.
- •Green Electricity belongs to the Energy category. We explain it step by step for newcomers to Germany.
- •The Schmidt family switches to a green electricity tariff with the ok-power seal. The tariff costs about the same as their previous conventional contract, but the electricity verifiably comes from renewable plants and the seal demands extra investment in the energy transition. A tariff with no seal would only have shown guarantees of origin.
meinetarife24 Editorial Team
Our editorial team writes the content and updates it regularly.
Detailed Explanation
Green electricity refers to electricity from renewable energy sources. Contrary to what many newcomers assume, the word "Okostrom" (green or natural electricity) is not legally protected in Germany - there is no statutory definition. What matters is therefore not the label, but how the provider proves the green origin.
Green electricity sources: - Wind power (onshore and offshore) - Solar energy (photovoltaics) - Hydropower - Biomass - Geothermal
What to look for in a tariff: - Gruner Strom Label: the oldest and strictest seal, backed by environmental groups such as BUND and NABU; it requires extra investment in new plants. - ok-power seal (EnergieVision e.V., including the Oko-Institut): also strict criteria with a real funding effect. - TUV seals (e.g. TUV Sud or TUV Nord): mainly verify the renewable share, but do not necessarily require new plants. - Without a seal: the provider proves the green origin only via guarantees of origin - the weakest level.
Guarantees of Origin (GO): - A European system for electricity labeling; in Germany the register is run by the Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA). - Since 2013, electricity may only be labeled "renewable" if the provider has cancelled GOs for it (Section 42 EnWG). - GOs can be traded separately from the physical delivery, so on paper grey electricity can become "green electricity". - A GO alone therefore says nothing about additional climate benefit; only strict seals deliver that.
Costs: - Green electricity today is often only a few cents per kWh more expensive. - Some green tariffs are even cheaper than the local basic supply. - Competition has greatly reduced the price gap.
Practical Example
The Schmidt family switches to a green electricity tariff with the ok-power seal. The tariff costs about the same as their previous conventional contract, but the electricity verifiably comes from renewable plants and the seal demands extra investment in the energy transition. A tariff with no seal would only have shown guarantees of origin.
Legal Basis
Section 42 EnWG (electricity labeling); guarantees of origin under Section 79 EEG 2023, register run by the Federal Environment Agency (HKNR); EU Directive 2018/2001 (RED II). The term "Okostrom" itself is not legally defined.
Related Terms
Sources & Methodology
Our methodology: the meinetarife24 Editorial Team checks every definition against binding primary data sources and consumer-focused reference portals. We name the relevant legal basis, link related terms and update each entry regularly. We do not sell loans or tariffs ourselves. This explanation is provided purely for information.
- • Legal basis: Section 42 EnWG (electricity labeling); guarantees of origin under Section 79 EEG 2023, register run by the Federal Environment Agency (HKNR); EU Directive 2018/2001 (RED II). The term "Okostrom" itself is not legally defined.
- • Price Indication Regulation (PAngV) at Gesetze im Internet
- • Finanztip and the Deutsche Bundesbank as independent references on interest rates and consumer credit.