Recently, as our business energy contracts came up for renewal, we were determined to make the switch to the best green energy tariff available. But that led us to a bigger question—what does “green” energy really mean?
And are all green tariffs truly as environmentally friendly as they claim to be?
What is Green Energy?
Green energy comes from renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydropower—resources that don’t run out and produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions.
The UK has made impressive progress, with over 40% of electricity now coming from renewables but with fossil fuels still playing a significant role, there’s much more work to be done.
Are Green Tariffs Worth It?
Choosing a green tariff is a powerful way to support the renewable energy sector and reduce your carbon footprint. But not all tariffs are created equal—some providers invest directly in renewables, while others rely on offsetting mechanisms that don’t always guarantee cleaner energy.
What to look for:
- Transparency from suppliers
- A high percentage of truly renewable sources
- Third-party accreditations like the Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) scheme
Understanding Green Tariffs
Many suppliers market their tariffs as “green,” but looking further into their fuel mix can reveal how sustainable they actually are.
When researching our options, we found that some providers only partially source their energy from renewables, while others match consumption with equivalent renewable energy certificates.
We wanted to ensure our supplier was actively investing in a cleaner grid.
Our Green Energy Choice
After thorough research, we opted for a provider with the following fuel mix:
Our Supplier:
- Renewable: 85.5%
- Coal: 2.1%
- Natural Gas: 9.9%
- Nuclear: 1.5%
- Other: 1.0%
Compared to the UK National Average:
- Renewable: 43.2%
- Coal: 6.3%
- Natural Gas: 35.0%
- Nuclear: 12.7%
- Other: 2.8%
(Source: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy – BEIS)
The Impact of Our Choice
By switching to a tariff with nearly double the renewable energy compared to the UK average, we’re significantly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and helping to push the transition toward a greener future.
Is your business on the right green tariff? Take a closer look…you might be surprised at what you find!