Wind energy – The United Kingdom has a large number of wind farms, both on and offshore. Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy here.

Hydro energy – Also known as hydropower, this type of renewable energy generates electricity via the use of water turbines.

Tidal energy – Another type of hydro energy that harnesses the power of the tides to power water turbines.

Solar energy – Approximately a million houses in the United Kingdom have solar panels installed on their roofs. These panels transform solar energy into electricity, allowing households to create green energy on their own.

Biomass – Utilizes organic resources to generate power.

Geothermal — The process of harnessing the natural heat under the earth's surface in order to create green power or directly heat houses.

Most green energy plans offer 100% renewable electricity, while many suppliers are also beginning to offer a level of “green gas” by turning organic matter into biomethane. Green gas comes from a process called anaerobic digestion, where bacteria is used to break down food or farm waste to produce gas. This green gas is carbon neutral as it is produced from materials that absorb CO2 that is then released back when the gas burns.

Hopefully in the future all gas can come from renewable sources but at the moment, there are not enough biomethane plants in the UK to make it a cost effective alternative to fossil fuels. This means suppliers still have to use natural gas to make sure customer demand is met. Some suppliers invest in additional carbon offset schemes to make sure the natural gas used is carbon neutral, even where green gas is not available.

One of the biggest advantages to renewable energy is that it is sustainable. Using renewable energy is better for the environment and the more people choose green tariffs, the more renewable energy will be produced.

Renewable energy is now much more reliable and its availability is increasing every year, making it a cheap alternative to traditional, fossil fuel backed energy.

Having said that, more still needs to be done in increasing renewable generation and renewable energy uptake and some suppliers are contributing to achieving that in the future. When you choose Switch Squid Gold Standard Green Tariff, you will be supporting that increase in future use of renewable energy.

It's easy to shop around for the best green energy deal for your circumstances with Switch Squid. Simply enter your postcode into the box at the top of the page and provide a few details about your energy usage, and we’ll show you the energy plans available in your area, including renewable energy deals.