Six energy firms have withdrawn from the annual survey into sustainability conducted by the Dutch consumers’ association Consumentenbond, Greenpeace and other organisations.

The survey rates the companies for the sustainability of the energy they produce.

Among the six who have withdrawn are Nuon, Essent, E.ON and Nederlandse Energie Maatschappij, website nu.nl reports. Together they provide 70% of the green energy delivered to Dutch homes.

The companies say the survey methodology used for the survey is not objective because it leans heavily on the preferences of the researchers. They have put together an alternative methodology but this is not being considered.

Volume

In addition, volume does not play a role in the survey. This means a small company with a limited number of customers can come top of the list. ‘That is not realistic,’ the companies say in a statement. ‘It is about making green energy on a large scale. Only then does the transition from fossile fuels to sustainable energy take form.’

Greenpeace, speaking on behalf of the other organisations, said the criticism is ‘a diversionary tactic’.

The survey, due to be published in the autumn, will go ahead. ‘We do not need their data because it is public information,’ Greenpeace said.