We often get asked if there are any green energy suppliers in the UK. As most of us draw our energy from the National Grid, it’s difficult to know how or where it is generated.
What is a green energy supplier?
At the moment, the majority of the UK’s energy comes from nuclear and coal power, but there are suppliers who are doing things differently and promising to supply electricity and gas from only renewable sources. We’ve compared some of these ‘green’ suppliers’ offerings to see how they stand up to each other cost-wise, and to the one of the Big Six. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it might give you something to think about!
Below are the details of a variety of tariffs, but if you’d just like to see a quick table instead, just scroll to the bottom of the page.
[These costs were calculated for our office postcode in West London – TW8 8AR. They are all for standard meters unless otherwise specified. The prices are calculated on a ‘pay monthly’ by direct debit basis.]
ECOTRICITY
Plan name: Green Energy/Green Gas
From 100% renewable sources. They also promise to source none of their energy from fracking.
Electricity
| Standing charge (per day) | Unit rate (per kWh) |
| 29.54p | 14.39p |
Gas
| Standing charge (per day) | Unit rate (per kWh) |
| 25.06p | 4.15p |
OVO
Plan: Greener Energy
From 100% renewable energy sources.
Electricity
| Standing charge (per day) | Unit rate (per kWh) |
| 28.77p | 16.24p |
Gas
| Standing charge (per day) | Unit rate (per kWh) |
| 28.77p | 3.27p |
GREEN ENERGY UK
Plan: Dual Fuel Still
From 100% renewable energy sources.
Electricity
| Standing charge (per day) | Unit rate (per kWh) |
| 27.4p | 13.10p |
Gas
| Standing charge (per day) | Unit rate (per kWh) |
| 25.0p | 3.49p |
Plan: Duel Fuel Sparkling
From 100% renewable energy sources.
Electricity
| Standing charge (per day) | Unit rate (per kWh) |
| 27.4p | 13.61p |
Gas
| Standing charge (per day) | Unit rate (per kWh) |
| 25.00p | 3.59p |
Plan: Dual Fuel TIDE
From 100% renewable energy sources.
This is something a bit different – the UK’s first Time of Use tariff, for use with a smart meter.
It is by far the cheapest tariff if you only use electricity at the cheapest times of day, but the most expensive if you use it during the expensive hours – so involves a bit more management and thought. Used in conjunction with home battery storage, it could reinvent how we manage our energy usage.
Comparing green tariff costs
We have compared the price per unit of these tariffs with each other and also a standard offering from British Gas. This does not include standing charges, which can vary, so is only to give you an idea – before deciding to switch you should consider these too, alongside your energy usage.
To get an accurate quote for a year, enter your details on USwitch via the link below.
| Ecotricity | Ovo | Green Energy UK | British Gas | |
| Electricity (per kWh/unit) | 14.39p | 16.24p | Tide (during cheapest hours): 4.99p
Still: 13.10p Sparkling: 13.61p |
12.02p |
| Gas
(per kWh/unit) |
4.15p | 3.27p | 3.59p | 3.72p |
As you can see, there’s not much between them, or between the ‘green’ tariffs and the standard British Gas one. Unless you’re on a Time of Use tariff (which will soon be more common), in which case you may get a slightly cheaper deal overall. But these are all competitive prices, using greener energy than some of their counterparts.
Also Ecotricity’s tariff has no standing charge (a fixed amount you have to pay every day for access to electricity and gas, regardless of how much you use). This needs to be should be taken into account, as it would make it cheaper than some of the other companies’ offerings in the final bill.
Think we missed something? Do you have a different opinion?
Comment below to get your voice heard…
Hello
We were using Symbio but were put onto eon next flex. Our economy 7 day rate is 25.06 and our night rate is 15 97. Can you please suggest a better option as this is crippling us financially.
Regards
Chris O’Neill