Customers see green on fuel bills

Electricity customers can see for the first time how green their supplier is, as firms have to show how much of their electricity is generated from renewable fuel.
Electricity suppliers must give their customers a breakdown of the fuels they've used to generate the electricity they provide, as well as the CO2 emissions and radioactive waste produced.

UK energy minister Malcolm Wicks said: "To help tackle global warming at an individual level consumers need to make informed choices and fuel disclosure is a key ingredient in helping people to do that.

"With a target of 10% of electricity generation from renewables by 2010, and an aspiration to get it to 20% by 2020, the disclosure rule is an asset to both domestic and business customers.

"Liberalised electricity markets give consumers a choice of supplier based on cost. From today, that choice will also be based on how the electricity was generated and the impact that has on the environment, so giving consumers even more choice in where their money goes.

"If you're concerned about global warming and CO2 emissions, take a closer look at your next bill, it could make all the difference."

The UK already has a Kyoto commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5% below 1990 levels by 2008-12, and a target of 10% of all electricity generation from renewables by 2010.