However, these clear benefits are not enough to ensurethat renewable energy power plants produce greenelectricity and supply it through the transmission gridto people’s homes and workplaces. It should not beforgotten that no energy source, whether carbon-based, petroleum-based or nuclear, has ever beendeveloped without the determined support of thepublic authorities. Therefore, actively promotingrenewable energy sources for electricity generation isthe aim of the RES-E directive. To support the trade in green electricity, the directiverequires a guarantee of origin for electricity fromrenewable energy sources. If necessary, independentbodies may be appointed to issue such guarantees. Theunequivocal identification of electric power as comingfrom renewable sources will increase transparency andconsumer choice. This will aid utilities and traders tobuild demand among business and domestic users bysupplying electricity that is clearly ‘green’. Creating apublic demand for green electricity, above and beyondany imposed quotas, will encourage investments in newRES-E technologies and production capacity. This directive establishes the guarantee of origin forgreen electricity as part of a strategy to inform con-sumers on the nature of their electricity consumption.A new European directive on the internal market forelectricity ( 9 ) takes this strategy further and requires that consumer electricity bills must supply informationon the energy source mix and environmental impactsof the electricity consumed, so consumers will havethe choice.

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