Green Electricity Watch is a coalition of 16 environmental groups who compose the annual survey of electricity retailers to help consumers make an informed decision to on environmentally aware electricity companies.

The electricity companies were surveyed on two levels - the retailers' overall environmental policy and practice, and their Green Power products.

In the survey, Origin Energy was chosen as a 'Best Australian Corporate Citizen' and the company's 100% renewable solar (GreenEarth Solar) and wind (GreenEarth Plus) products were ranked as market leaders.

The report stated that Australian Inland and Origin Energy scored almost double that of the middle-ranking performers in relation to responsible environmental policy, actual renewable energy and energy efficiency practice.

"Almost 80% of all electricity produced in Australia today is derived from the burning of coal which, in turn, produces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and global warming," said Peter Vines, Origin Energy's executive general manager retail.

Origin is currently the largest buyer of wind energy in Australia, and the largest retailer of 100% renewable energy in Australia.

"To underpin our leading Green Earth Solar product, Origin buys back excess solar energy from its grid-connected solar customers, and sells this power to other customers. Origin is the only energy company in Australia to offer customers this product," said Vines.

Origin Energy is also the most successful national marketer of accredited Green Power with 30,000 residential and business customers in Australia.