European Network for Green Electricity (EUGENE)

Short description
EUGENE provides independent, international and credible labelling scheme for green electricity products. The scheme provides a guarantee that any green power scheme adopting the EUGENE label is displacing polluting energy sources and resulting in new green electricity generation over and above national-mandated markets.  

For which product/service is the label used?
EUGENE aims to promote green electricity labelling as a market tool to facilitate and stimulate the development of renewable electricity and energy efficient energy services.

By whom and how is the decision for the application of the label taken
The EUGENE labelling scheme is based on a common standard for green electricity. National labelling bodies, accredited by EUGENE, implement this standard to the national level and may develop additional criteria. Electricity suppliers seeking certification for their green products need to contact the EUGENE-accredited body in their country. If their green electricity product is found to conform to the label criteria, the electricity supplier will be enabled to distribute the product as a "EUGENE labelled product", and to use the national label trademark logo.
Under EUGENE criteria, green electricity must come from natural energy sources such as solar, geothermal, wind, tidal, and wave power; burning of "carbon-neutral" biomass, or hydroelectricity schemes that preserve the river system’s principal ecological functions. A number of power stations are excluded such as waste incineration installations.

Are there any control mechanisms on the market?
The suppliers undergo an annual independent verification to substantiate product content claims and ensure enough renewable power has been purchased to meet customer demand they also need to fully disclose the percentage and type of renewable resources within their electricity product to consumers.

How relevant is the label on the market
Although only four organisations and three local authorities have adopted the label so far, this seems like a promising scheme. It is an independent network bringing together experts from environmental and consumers organisations, and research institutes. Open and co-operative dialogue is carried out with green power producers and suppliers. EUGENE has already received endorsement and active commitment from a wide range of respected Non-Governmental Organisations, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and others.