What is green energy?

Green, or renewable, energy is generated by harnessing the power of the wind, sun and sea, or by burning replaceable sources such as waste products and crops (biofuels). 

The most prevalent sources of green energy in the UK are biofuels, wind and water. Unlike fossil fuels, these will never run out and do not release extra carbon dioxide (CO2). The UK has only 1% of the world's population, but we produce 2.3% of its CO2.

All suppliers have to provide information about the mix of fuels they use to generate the electricity supplied to their customers as well as its environmental impact. You can see the fuel mix for each energy supplier in our Energy suppliers section.

There are also a number of green tariffs certified by The Green Energy Certification Scheme (these tariffs can be found on the results page). This indicates:

• The tariff will deliver additional environmental benefits.
• The electricity will be matched by renewable energy.
• Transparency and clarity on green tariffs.