The UK green energy market has matured significantly in recent years, but so has greenwashing within it. Some suppliers offer tariffs backed by genuine renewable generation. Others buy cheap certificates from decades-old European hydroelectric dams and call it green.
Here's how to tell the difference.
The main certification mechanism in the UK is the Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO). REGOs are certificates issued for each megawatt-hour of renewable electricity generated. The problem is that REGOs can be bought from old renewable generators that were built without any support from green tariff customers - buying a REGO from a Norwegian hydroelectric dam built in 1950 does not fund new UK renewable generation.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) - direct contracts with specific renewable generators, often with long-term commitments that help fund new capacity.
Own generation - suppliers that operate their own wind, solar or other renewable capacity.
Transparency - suppliers that publish their fuel mix and certificate purchases openly.
Octopus Energy - operates its own wind and solar capacity, uses PPAs with UK generators, and is transparent about its energy mix. Their smart tariffs offer additional benefits for EV drivers and heat pump users.
Good Energy - sources exclusively from UK renewable generators with long-term PPAs. More expensive than Octopus but arguably the strongest renewable credentials in the market.
Ecotricity - builds its own wind and solar capacity and invests profits in new generation.
Switch to a green tariff if you haven't already. Octopus Energy is our recommendation for most households - good renewable credentials, competitive prices, and smart tariff options that reward flexible energy use.
