Savings, carbon footprint reduction, and competitiveness: the winning trio of guarantees of origin

Monday, October 7, 2024

Do you want to reduce your energy costs by several thousand francs each year while making a concrete gesture for the environment? This is exactly what Swiss SMEs can do through a simple and accessible method: the purchase of guarantees of origin (GO).

In this article, we will explain how you too can achieve three goals at once: save on your energy bills, reduce your carbon footprint, and increase your competitiveness. All of this can be done without changing your energy supplier or installing solar panels.

**Comparative table of options available to SMEs**. In summary, purchasing guarantees of origin is beneficial in all cases, whether for saving money, improving your carbon footprint, or enhancing your attractiveness.
	Do nothing	Subscribe to a green plan with a provider	Purchase Guarantees of Origin (GO)
Cost	Free	Several thousand CHF for an SME	Only a few hundred CHF
Environmental impact	No change, mix equal to that of the local provider	100% green electricity, reduced carbon footprint ("market-based")	100% green electricity, reduced carbon footprint ("location-based")
Regulatory compliance	Risk of future penalties	Better compliance, but can become costly	Immediate and proactive compliance
Attractiveness for customers	Negative image	Positive and eco-friendly image	Positive, eco-friendly image, local support
Flexibility	No flexibility	Long-term commitment	Flexibility based on needs
Ease of implementation	Easy, no action required	Subscription process can be complex	Simple GO purchase process, possible support

1. What is a guarantee of origin and how to consume green electricity at ultra-competitive rates?
2. Why is it advantageous?
3. Transformation of an SME: From lost contracts to savings through GOs
4. Why use a trading platform for guarantees of origin?
5. In conclusion

1. What is a guarantee of origin and how to consume green electricity at ultra-competitive rates?

Guarantees of origin are electronic certificates that ensure the electricity you consume comes from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydroelectricity, etc.). They allow companies like yours to switch to cleaner energy without altering their infrastructure. To learn more about guarantees of origin, check out our comprehensive guide.

How does a green energy provider work?
Many green electricity suppliers use the same system of guarantees of origin to certify the renewable energy they sell. However, these suppliers often apply significant markups on prices, which increases your costs. Why? Simply because they have little room to maneuver on the base price of electricity. It is more profitable for them to apply significant margins on the ecological added value. Therefore, purchasing guarantees of origin directly on the market allows you to benefit from much more competitive rates than those offered by energy suppliers, while obtaining exactly the same green certification.

2. Why is it advantageous?

Immediate savings: By purchasing your GOs directly (for example, at buyeco.ch), you can avoid supplier markups and reduce your energy costs while consuming green electricity.
Reduction of carbon footprint and CO2 emissions: You offset your emissions without modifying your infrastructure, and you remain compliant with future regulations.
Access to new customers: More and more large companies are seeking partners committed to sustainability. With your 100% green and local electricity consumption, you become an attractive partner.

The importance of preparing for future regulations
Laws in Europe and Switzerland are gradually imposing new obligations on businesses, particularly regarding transparency about their emissions. This means that, in the near future, SMEs will have to provide CO2 emission reports and demonstrate that they are taking measures to reduce their carbon footprint.
Anticipate rather than react: Instead of waiting for these regulations to become mandatory, purchasing guarantees of origin now allows you to get ahead and turn a potential constraint into a competitive advantage.
Enhance your commercial attractiveness: In addition to reducing your energy costs and offsetting your emissions, you will be able to proudly showcase your environmental commitment, boosting your brand image and making your SME more appealing to clients seeking eco-responsible partners.

Feel free to ask any questions to our team: info@buyeco.ch.

3. Transformation of an SME: From lost contracts to savings through GOs

A small Swiss SME specializing in the manufacture of eco-friendly wooden furniture recently lost a crucial contract with a major client. The reason? An insufficient carbon footprint. This setback served as a wake-up call for the team to improve their environmental impact.

In their search for solutions, they considered installing solar panels or finding a green energy supplier.

The SME consumes approximately 100 MWh of electricity per year. Their historical supplier then offers them a surcharge of 50 CHF / MWh to consume 100% green and local electricity, resulting in a total annual cost of 5,000 CHF. It was then that a neighbor informed them about guarantees of origin.

Instead of embarking on costly projects, they discover they can purchase GOs directly for much less, thereby proving that their electricity consumption is 100% offset by renewable energy.

The SME contacts BUYECO, and we analyze their situation. With access to the mix of all Swiss electricity suppliers, we realize that their mix is already 60% green and local, meaning they only need to purchase 40% guarantees of origin. They find an listing on BUYECO selling guarantees of origin in the same canton for only 18 CHF / MWh.

In summary:

The SME did not pay 5,000 CHF, but 720 CHF, achieving savings of over 80%.
They did not have to change suppliers or invest in a costly photovoltaic installation.
Their carbon footprint is perfectly aligned with their environmental values, enhancing their eco-friendly image.

Are you a larger consumer than this SME and looking for even more competitive rates? With over 10 years of experience, BUYECO is here to help you find the best market offers (contact us: info@buyeco.ch).

4. Why use an exchange platform for guarantees of origin?

Using an exchange platform like buyeco.ch for purchasing GOs offers numerous advantages for SMEs looking to optimize their environmental impact while reducing their energy costs. Here’s why:

Significant savings: With direct access to a competitive market, our platform allows you to purchase GOs at rates often lower than those of traditional suppliers, compensating local producers directly. This translates into tangible reductions in your energy bills.
Transparency and traceability: We ensure the transparency and traceability of every GO purchased, with detailed reports and an official verification platform accessible to your clients. You can be confident that the energy you consume is genuinely renewable, thus enhancing your credibility.
User-friendly: Our platform simplifies the GO acquisition process. You can manage your purchases with just a few clicks, without the hassle of complicated procedures.
Support for specific needs: If your business has specific requirements, whether for particular environmental labels or geographical constraints, our team is here to assist you. We help you navigate these requirements and select the GOs that meet your precise needs. Contact us for a free quote: info@buyeco.ch.

5. In conclusion

By opting to purchase guarantees of origin, you empower yourself to significantly enhance your economic and environmental performance while positioning yourself as a responsible player in the market.