World electricity consumption is estimated to increase by 70% over the next 20 years, with much of the increase being in the developing world. Although this will have a dramatic impact on the quality of life in those countries, and it will potentially also increase the impact on the environment if the energy is generated from fossil fuels. In Britain, government targets are to produce 10% of energy from renewable source by 2010, and 20% by 2020. Currently, electricity suppliers must prove that 3% of the electricity they sell has been generated from renewable sources.

We can reduce our energy needs, and we can also help the push towards generating renewable energy by switching to a renewable energy supply – the supplier has to guarantee that they generate or buy sufficient energy to cover all their customers who are paying for renewable energy. You will pay slightly more (perhaps £2-£5 a month) for renewable energy, but when you start looking into it you may find that you are currently paying over the odds for your electricity anyway.

There are a number of good comparison site, which also help you to make the switch, which is very easy, and does not involve a gang of big hairy men coming along and digging up your drive. Although perhaps you would consider that to be a good thing.

Good Energy provide energy that comes purely from wind, hydro and solar generators around Britain.

Ecotricity claim to be the world’s first green electricity company, and have been in business since 1996.

Uswitch offers a comparison between companies, and you can specify you want to buy green electricity.

Note that some green energy is greener than other green energy! The government does not consider, for example, that supplying electricity from existing hydro-electric facilities such as those offered by Scottish Power is generating additional renewable capacity, and therefore it is not considered as green. For a list of  suppliers in your area go to Green Electricity and input your postcode. You will get a lot of information back, including ratings of suppliers.

Friends of the Earth also provide a guide to buying green energy.