Renewable energy providers

Renewable energy, also known as green energy, is powered by natural sources that are not depleted when used – such as solar, tidal or wind. Because it doesn’t involve burning fossil fuels, renewable energy is cleaner, more sustainable and better for the environment.

The energy that’s piped or wired into our homes all comes via the National Grid – so it’s hard to say whether your supply originates from a renewable or non-renewable source.

However, there are several renewable energy providers which specialise in generating or buying energy from renewable sources.

If you’re interested in switching to renewable energy, you can look for a ‘green’ tariff or a ‘green supply tariff’. This refers to green energy suppliers’ products that match your energy usage by giving back an equivalent in renewable energy to the National Grid.

There’s been some press coverage about green energy providers and green tariffs not always being exactly what they seem.

That’s because, due to a regulatory loophole, the certificates that prove energy is from a renewable source – called Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGOs) – can be bought separately from the energy itself.

Critics say that this enables energy providers to ‘greenwash’ just how renewable the energy they buy is.

If supporting the switch to greener energy is important to you, it’s worth digging a little to see how renewable energy companies are truly sourcing their power. You can be more confident in an energy provider’s green credentials if it’s:

• Generating its own renewable electricity or green gas

• Investing its profits in renewable power generation

• Buying renewable power directly from UK generators.

The best renewable energy provider for you and your home can depend on several factors. When comparing renewable energy providers and green tariffs, you’ll need to bear in mind:

• What’s available in your area

• Your energy needs and whether you use gas as well as electricity

• If you want a tariff that’s 100% renewable or you’re more flexible

• If you want to invest in generating your own renewable energy

• If you want a fixed term or a variable rate

• What your budget is.

There are a handful green energy suppliers which specialise in renewable energy, including:

• SO Energy

• Octopus Energy

• Ecotricity

• Good Energy.

However, there are also plenty of mainstream energy providers offering green tariffs, including well-known names such as:

• British Gas

• E.ON Next

• Ovo Energy

• EDF

• Scottish Power.

Green energy tariffs can be more expensive than standard energy because of the increased operating costs to supply green energy.

A handful of green energy providers are not subject to Ofgem’s energy price cap, because of the investment they are making to support the UK’s net zero transition.

The good news is that green tariffs are becoming more competitively priced as the choice of deals grows.

It’s always worth comparing traditional and renewable energy suppliers with Compare the Market to search for cheap renewable energy. In the end, it may not come down to cost but, rather, your energy preferences.

If you install renewable technology in your home, you might also be able to benefit from government schemes that promote the use of green energy.

We’ll include green tariffs when you complete a quote through Compare the Market. They’ll be shown alongside all the other tariffs in your results – so you don’t have to specifically ‘go green’ to compare renewable energy quotes. 

To help you run a green energy comparison, you’ll also be able to read about the supplier and its energy features, to compare how green it is. Simply click on ‘more details’, on each recommended tariff. 

Some renewable energy providers can offer up to 100% green energy. If a provider offers a mix of energy (some renewable and the rest from traditional sources), it must be upfront about the percentage mix so you know exactly what you’re getting.

It’s important to have a good read through any T&Cs before you go ahead and make a switch, just so you can be sure you’re getting the right green energy type for your needs.