Choosing green electricity properly: truly green, not greenwashing (2026)
Quality labels, guarantees of origin and the difference between truly green and merely accounting green power — how to spot a genuinely green tariff.
What “green electricity” really means
Physically, the same mix flows from every socket — you cannot separate green power from conventional. “Green electricity” is therefore not a technical but a contractual term: your provider commits to feeding in or proving an amount from renewable sources matching your usage.
The decisive difference is the impact. A good green tariff actually promotes the expansion of renewables. A weak one only buys certificates for hydropower that exists anyway and changes little in reality.
So if you switch out of conviction, look not just at the word “green” but at how credible and effective the tariff is.
Guarantees of origin — and their limits
All power sold as green must be backed by guarantees of origin. These certificates confirm that a corresponding amount of renewable power was generated somewhere.
The problem: such certificates can be traded separately from the power itself. So a provider can sell conventional power and only make it “green” on paper with cheap certificates — often from old hydro plants. That is accounting green power with little real impact.
Guarantees of origin alone are therefore no proof of real climate benefit. They are the minimum requirement, not the quality mark.
Quality labels you can look for
Independent quality labels go beyond the legal minimum and require genuine added value. In Germany the best known are the “ok-power” label and the “Grüner Strom” label.
These labels typically require part of the money to flow into new plants — so the provider must actively contribute to expansion, not just buy certificates. That is the difference between marketing and impact.
A tariff with a recognised label is therefore a good filter: it separates credible offers from pure greenwashing without you having to check every detail yourself.
Does truly green power cost more?
Not necessarily. The market is large, and many green tariffs are priced at the level of conventional offers or even below. The premium for “truly green” is often small today.
As always, compare base fee and consumption price together and watch the bonus, term and price guarantee — the same rules as for any electricity tariff apply here too.
Do not let a green label push you into an expensive contract. A good label and a fair price are not mutually exclusive.
How to find your green tariff
Filter the comparison specifically for green electricity and, where possible, for tariffs with a recognised quality label. That way you only see offers that go beyond the minimum.
Also check the contract terms as with any switch: realistic usage, fair term, transparent follow-on price.
With your real annual usage and postal code you can find a tariff in minutes that fits your budget and is genuinely green.
Practical tips
- Look for recognised labels like “ok-power” or “Grüner Strom”, not just the word “green”.
- Guarantees of origin are the minimum requirement — not proof of real impact.
- Compare base and consumption price as with any tariff.
- Truly green power need not be expensive — the premium is often small.
- Filter the comparison specifically for green power with a label.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Looking only at the word “green” and missing greenwashing.
- Mistaking guarantees of origin for real climate benefit.
- Accepting an overpriced tariff because of the green label.
- Not checking bonus, term and follow-on price.
- Confusing accounting green power with effective green power.
Checklist before you compare
- Tariff marked as green and checked for a quality label.
- Difference accounting vs. effective understood.
- Base and consumption price compared.
- Bonus, term and price guarantee checked.
- Realistic annual usage entered.
- Follow-on price from year two checked.
Frequently asked questions
Do I physically get green power with a green tariff?
No. The socket always delivers the same mix. Green electricity is a contractual commitment to feed in or prove a corresponding renewable amount.
What is the difference between truly green and accounting green power?
Truly green power promotes the expansion of renewable plants. Accounting green power only buys certificates for existing generation and has little real impact.
Which quality labels are credible?
In Germany mainly “ok-power” and “Grüner Strom”. They require genuine added value beyond the legal minimum.
Is green power more expensive than normal power?
Often barely. Many green tariffs are priced at the level of conventional offers — comparing still pays off.
How do I spot greenwashing?
If a tariff only claims to be “green” but carries no recognised label and makes no contribution to expansion, caution is warranted.
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