Choosing a genuine 100% renewable energy supplier
Finding an ethical supplier for your renewable energy tariff can be tricky, with endless amounts of jargon and reams of information to wade through. It’s not always easy to verify where exactly the renewable energy is coming from, or even if it’s truly renewable at all. With guidance from Ethical Consumer, we’ve outlined the essentials to consider when selecting an energy provider.
The 100% renewable energy claim.
Many energy suppliers market ‘100% renewable’ or ‘green’ energy tariffs. But many green tariffs do little or nothing to change actual carbon emissions.
Companies can claim to provide 100 percent renewable tariffs without generating any renewable energy at all. This is because they can buy something called ‘REGOs’ from other suppliers, who do produce renewable energy.
The plan was for REGOs to contribute money towards renewable generation. But in practice, there isn’t enough demand for them to make them really meaningful. Their price is so low they make a miniscule difference to how much renewable energy is produced in the UK.
The companies with real renewable energy?
There are a very small number of green energy tariffs in the UK that are doing something different – including companies like Ecotricity, Good Energy, and 100Green.
Some of these companies directly pay a green supplier for their renewable energy (rather than just purchasing certificates). They therefore provide a guaranteed income to them. Other companies actually produce the green energy themselves.
In order to buy truly Green Energy, we recommend opting for companies taking one of these two approaches, and who have made a commitment not to build any further fossil fuel plants.
Below, we have outlined some questions to ask when choosing an energy supplier, but if you want a shortcut, we recommend checking out the score table on Ethical Consumer. They consistently rank Ecotricity and 100Green as the top ethical energy suppliers in the UK. You can source 100% ethically sourced renewable energy from other suppliers who may offer cheaper rates, they may just score lower in other ethics categories such as tax payment or how they treat their workers. To learn more about what the scores mean, you’ll need to sign up for an Ethical Consumer membership. It’s a resource we often use to evaluate companies with which we work. We believe it’s worth the small fee!
Key questions to ask about an energy supplier:
Are they actively creating new sources of green energy?
Expanding renewable capacity in the UK is crucial for the future of clean energy production. Look for an energy company that’s investing in new renewable sources to help increase the grid’s percentage of green energy.
Are they committed to not building more fossil fuel plants?
Check if the supplier has made a clear, public commitment to move away from fossil fuels. Some companies continue to invest in fossil fuel generation while claiming a renewable status through various purchasing agreements (which we’ll explain shortly).
Are they helping customers reduce energy usage?
Even with the cleanest energy sources, cutting down on consumption is key. The less energy we use, the more effectively renewable sources can meet demand. Look for suppliers that offer advice and incentives to help customers reduce their energy consumption.
How do they treat their vulnerable customers?
Ethics go beyond clean energy production. Find out if the supplier is doing anything to support those most affected by challenges like the cost-of-living crisis. Their treatment of vulnerable customers can reveal a lot about their overall ethos.
Are their environmental claims genuine?
Be cautious of companies claiming to be fully renewable, as these claims can vary in their validity. In particular, watch out for REGOs. REGO certificates are issued to renewable generators for every megawatt hour of energy produced, but they can be sold separately from the energy itself. This means some suppliers can purchase energy from non-renewable sources, buy REGOs to match, and market themselves as 100% renewable. For a deeper dive into this, Ethical Consumer is a fantastic resource.
Are they supporting customers in transitioning to renewable technology?
An ethical energy supplier should aim to help you make your home more energy-efficient, reducing both your energy usage and carbon footprint. For example, Good Energy provides tailored advice on solar and heat pump systems, knowing that every property and household is different.
Our Partnership with Good Energy
We’ve teamed up with Good Energy, fellow B Corp and ethical energy leader, to support our owners in transitioning to renewable energy. This partnership isn’t about financial gain for either of us – it’s simply driven by our shared commitment to tackling the climate crisis. You can read more about the partnership and the discounts available to our owners here. We’re also collaborating with Good Energy to provide information, advice, and incentives for adopting renewable technologies like heat pumps and solar panels.