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Green energy tariffs

Green electricity tariffs

The UK has a target to source 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020

Most gas and electricity companies in the UK offer green energy tariffs. 

Suppliers such as Good Energy and Green Energy UK specialise in providing up to 100% of energy directly from renewable sources. Other green tariffs work by making a contribution to environmental schemes, but don't necessarily guarantee the energy you are supplied with comes directly from renewable sources.

You can search for green energy tariffs and companies using Which? Switch. Order your results in order of fuel mix - which will tell you how much energy the supplier derives from renewable sources - and then price, to find the greenest, lowest cost option. We also list whether the tariff is Green Energy Certified (see below). 

Check the fuel mix for each energy supplier in our energy suppliers section.

Green energy tariffs

A 'green' energy tariff is essentially a tariff that claims to allow people to make a positive difference to the environment by signing up to it. However, the word 'green' is used to describe a variety of energy deals – with the environmental benefits ranging significantly from tariff to tariff – and this has led to some confusion over their merits.

To combat confusion, energy regulator Ofgem launched its green energy certification scheme in 2010 which allows energy suppliers to have their tariffs independently audited and declared officially ‘green’ if they meet certain requirements. These include:

  • matching all electricity used by consumers on the tariffs with renewable energy.
  • delivering additional environmental benefits – such as carbon offsetting or investing in new renewable energy sources or energy efficiency programmes.

The major energy suppliers are signed up to the scheme, as well as the smaller supplier Good Energy, and each supplier has had at least one tariff approved. These companies can now use the ‘Green Energy Certified’ label on their tariffs. 

However critics claim the labels set an artificial standard of what green electricity really is, and not all suppliers have paid to have their tariffs approved. As a result, some environmentally-friendly tariffs may not carry the certification.

solar panels on a house

Solar panels are most often used as part of a microgeneration system

Do green tariffs cost more?

Green energy tariffs do cost more than the cheapest non-green options but if you're concerned about the environmental impact of the energy you use you may feel this is a price worth paying. 

Green energy costs more because green energy suppliers incur additional costs in producing renewable energy, offsetting carbon emissions, investing in renewable energy or donating to green funds that invest in new green technology or other environmental schemes.

Types of renewable energy

All energy suppliers have an obligation to source an annually increasing percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. By 2015, 15.4% of energy sourced by suppliers will have to be renewable.

Solar power

Solar power systems harness the power of the sun using solar panels or 'collectors' to create electricity or heat water. There are two key types of solar power: solar water heating panels that heat water for use around the home and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels which generate electricity. 

Wind power

The power of the wind is harnessed by wind turbines which drive generators and create electricity. The UK is the windiest country in Europe, and as such has the biggest potential wind energy resource in Europe. Wind farms can be built both onshore and offshore. 

Marine power

The government expects wave and tidal power to help supply the UK's longer term (2020-2050) energy needs and meet renewables targets by providing up to 20% of our electricity needs.

River

About 1.3% of the UK's electricity comes from hydroelectric schemes

Biomass 

Biomass refers to materials derived from plants and living organisms used to generate heat or power - including tree matter and plant residue from sustainable woodlands and biodegradable waste and residue, such as sewage sludge, animal manure and food waste. The government estimates around 30% of the UK’s overall 15% renewable energy target could come from biomass heat and electricity in 2020.

Hydro power

Hydroelectricity is generated from the power of flowing water, using rivers or man-made water systems.The UK currently generates about 1.3% of its electricity from hydroelectric schemes - most of which are large-scale schemes in the Scottish Highlands.

Waste incineration and landfill gas

Energy can be created from waste - either by burning waste using incinerators or collecting landfill biogas emitted when waste decomposes in landfill sites. If all food and wood waste currently sent to landfill was used for energy it would meet approximately 18% of the UK's renewable energy target.

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