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Compare Green Energy Deals UK

Find a renewable tariff that fits your budget. Compare green energy providers side by side, price, renewable mix, exit fees, and customer ratings, all in one place.

Suppliers We Compare

As well as the big names you know, we help you discover new brands that can offer you more.

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Sky
TalkTalk
Plusnet
Virgin Media
Vodafone
O2
Green energy renewable tariffs UK

Why Compare Green Energy?

More UK households are moving to renewable power, and for good reason. When you compare green energy deals, you can find a tariff that cuts your carbon footprint without necessarily paying more. In fact, green energy tariffs are now priced very similarly to standard ones, and in many cases they work out cheaper.
Switch makes it easy to compare green energy providers side by side. You can look at prices, renewable mix, contract length, exit fees, and customer ratings, all in one place. No guesswork, no endless phone calls.

5 Types of Green Energy in the UK

Green energy is electricity and gas produced from natural, renewable sources that replenish themselves and produce little to no harmful emissions.

1

Solar Power

Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it to electricity. The UK now has millions of solar installations on rooftops and in large solar farms. Even on cloudy days, panels generate power from daylight, not just direct sun.

2

Wind Energy

The UK hosts some of the world's largest offshore wind farms. Wind turbines convert moving air into electricity and wind is now the single largest source of green electricity in the UK.

3

Hydroelectric Power

Water flowing through turbines generates clean electricity. Smaller-scale hydro projects are growing across rural UK communities, helping local areas generate their own renewable power.

4

Biomass Energy

Organic matter, wood chips, agricultural waste, and food waste, can be converted into electricity, heat, or biofuel. Biomass is classed as renewable because the carbon it releases is reabsorbed by growing plants.

5

Tidal and Wave Energy

The UK has a long coastline with significant tidal power potential. Tidal energy is still growing but represents an important part of the UK's green energy future, particularly for coastal communities.

Benefits of Switching to a Green Energy Tariff

Switching to renewable energy offers environmental, financial, and practical advantages for UK households.

1

Better for the Environment

Green energy produces little to no direct emissions. Switching one household to a renewable tariff makes a real difference, especially when millions of people do the same.

2

Prices Are More Affordable Than Ever

Thanks to advances in solar and wind technology, renewable energy is now priced close to, and sometimes below, standard tariffs. You can reduce your carbon footprint without paying a premium.

3

Price Stability with Fixed Green Tariffs

Fixed-rate green tariffs lock in your unit rate for the contract term, protecting you from sudden price rises caused by global gas and oil market swings.

4

Energy Self-Sufficiency for the UK

The more energy the UK generates from wind, solar, and hydro, the less it depends on imported gas and oil, helping keep prices more stable for all households.

5

Support for Renewable Development

Choosing a green tariff sends a clear market signal. When more households demand renewable energy, suppliers invest more in building new solar farms, wind turbines, and clean infrastructure.

Types of Green Energy Tariffs Explained

Not all green tariffs are the same. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right deal for your household.

1

100% Renewable Electricity

Your electricity is matched unit-for-unit with power from renewable sources. Suppliers use Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates to prove this.

2

Green Gas Tariffs

Your gas usage is matched with biomethane, a green gas made from organic waste through anaerobic digestion. Full green gas is rare but available from specialist suppliers like 100Green.

3

Carbon Offset Tariffs

Suppliers offset your emissions by funding environmental projects such as tree planting or renewable development. Less direct than biomethane but still produces a positive environmental impact.

4

Fixed Green Tariffs

Your unit rate and standing charge are locked in for the contract term. Great for budget certainty, especially ahead of a forecast price cap rise.

5

Variable Green Tariffs

Rates move in line with the market. These offer flexibility but less predictability than a fixed deal. Consider one when you expect prices to fall.

6

EV Green Tariffs

Designed for electric vehicle owners, with cheaper overnight rates so you can charge your car using renewable power at the lowest possible cost.

Understanding Green Energy Accreditation

Industry experts use a tiered accreditation system to distinguish how genuinely green a tariff is. Look for these levels when comparing.

LevelWhat It MeansBest For
🥉 BronzeElectricity matched with REGO certificates that prove renewable energy entered the grid, though not directly tied to your specific supplyBudget-conscious households wanting a green tariff at competitive prices
🥈 SilverGoes further than Bronze: the supplier has stronger commitments to sourcing electricity from named renewable projectsHouseholds wanting verified green credentials beyond the minimum requirement
🥇 GoldHighest standard, electricity sourced via direct Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with named UK renewable generators. Some include genuine green gas.Households prioritising the most traceable, directly-sourced renewable supply

← Swipe to see all columns →

Top Green Energy Suppliers in the UK

These suppliers consistently appear among the best options when households compare green energy deals on Switch.

1

Octopus Energy

One of the UK's most popular suppliers. Offers a wide range of renewable tariffs including smart EV charging plans. Widely praised for its app, customer service, and clean energy investment.

2

Ecotricity

The UK's original green electricity supplier, founded in 1995. Reinvests revenue into building new renewable infrastructure such as wind parks and solar farms. Has a permanent Ofgem exemption due to its genuine green energy commitment.

3

100Green

The only UK supplier offering 100% green gas alongside 100% renewable electricity. Uses anaerobic digestion to produce biomethane. Won Best Small Supplier at the 2025 Energy Awards. No exit fees.

4

Good Energy

Pioneer of time-matched renewables, it works to supply green power at the exact times you use it, not just as an annual average. Well regarded for environmental transparency and reporting.

5

OVO Energy

A mainstream supplier with strong green credentials. Matches 100% of supplied electricity with renewable sources and invests in community energy projects through its Planting Promise.

Is green energy genuinely better, or just greenwashing?

Not all green tariffs are equal. Some suppliers back their claims with direct Power Purchase Agreements: real contracts with named UK wind farms and solar generators. Others use REGO certificates, which prove renewable energy entered the grid but don't directly connect your home to a specific source.
Neither approach is dishonest, but the difference matters if environmental impact is your primary reason for switching. The green accreditation levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) exist specifically to help you distinguish between tariffs. Switch clearly labels accreditation levels in results so you can choose based on what genuinely green means to you.
The simplest test: does the supplier publish its fuel mix? Do they hold PPAs with named generators? Are they investing in new UK renewable capacity? The suppliers that answer yes to all three are the ones whose green claims hold up to scrutiny.

How to Compare Green Energy Providers on Switch: 5 Steps

Find a green tariff that works for your budget and your values. The whole process takes under 5 minutes.

1Step

Enter Your Postcode

Type your postcode into the Switch comparison tool. Energy deals vary by region, so your postcode ensures you only see tariffs genuinely available at your address.

2Step

Tell Us About Your Usage

Enter your estimated energy usage in kWh or share your current bill details. The more accurate your figures, the more precise your comparison. Your annual kWh usage is on any recent energy bill.

3Step

Filter for Green Deals

Use the green energy filter to show only renewable tariffs. Also filter by tariff type (fixed or variable), contract length, payment method, and whether exit fees apply.

4Step

Review the Results

Each deal shows annual cost estimate, renewable energy percentage, tariff type, exit fees, and green accreditation level. Compare like for like and pick the deal that fits your priorities.

5Step

Switch in Minutes

Once you've picked your deal, Switch guides you through. Your new supplier handles everything, including notifying your old supplier. No interruption to supply. 14-day cooling-off period included.

What to Look for When Comparing Green Tariffs

Eight things to check before committing to a new green energy deal.

1

Renewable percentage

Is it 100% renewable electricity, or a blend? Check the published fuel mix. Most reputable green suppliers make this easy to find.

2

Green gas inclusion

Does the tariff include biomethane or carbon-offset gas, or is it electricity only? Full green gas is rarer and offered by specialist suppliers only.

3

Tariff type

Fixed gives you price certainty for the contract term. Variable offers flexibility but no protection against price cap rises.

4

Contract length

Longer fixed deals can lock in lower rates but often carry higher exit fees. Shorter fixes offer more flexibility.

5

Exit fees

Some green tariffs, including 100Green, have no exit fees at all. Check before signing up.

6

Customer service rating

Look at independent reviews on Trustpilot and Citizens Advice. Customer service quality varies significantly across green suppliers.

7

Accreditation level

Bronze, Silver, or Gold tells you how genuinely green the tariff is. Look for Gold (PPA-backed) if maximum environmental impact matters.

8

Smart meter compatibility

EV and time-of-use green tariffs typically require a SMETS2 smart meter. Check compatibility before switching if you want the full range of green tariff options.

Green gas biomethane anaerobic digestion

What Is Green Gas and How Does It Work?

Green gas, also called biomethane, is produced through anaerobic digestion. Organic waste materials (food scraps, agricultural waste, sewage sludge) are broken down by bacteria without oxygen. This produces biogas, which is refined into biomethane and injected directly into the gas grid.
The UK doesn't yet produce enough biomethane to supply every home, so most green gas tariffs work on a matching basis: for every unit of gas you use, your supplier injects an equivalent amount of biomethane into the grid. A few suppliers, like 100Green, genuinely commit to sourcing as much green gas as technically possible.
Carbon offset gas is another option: suppliers invest in environmental projects to balance out the carbon from your gas use. It is not as direct as biomethane, but it still produces a positive environmental impact.

Do You Need a Smart Meter for Green Energy?

You don't need a smart meter to switch to a green tariff, but there are good reasons to consider getting one.

1

Not required for most tariffs

Standard credit meters work fine for most green energy deals. You can switch to a renewable tariff without arranging a smart meter installation.

2

Required for EV and time-of-use tariffs

EV charging plans and off-peak green tariffs require a SMETS2 meter capable of half-hourly readings. Ask your new supplier about compatibility before switching.

3

Better usage tracking

Smart meters give you accurate, real-time energy data, making it easier to manage your consumption, reduce waste, and avoid estimated bills.

4

Required for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)

If you have solar panels, a smart meter is usually needed to qualify for the SEG, which pays you for surplus electricity you send back to the grid.

Solar farm generating renewable electricity in a UK field

Green Energy and the Ofgem Price Cap

The Ofgem price cap sets a maximum unit rate and standing charge for standard variable tariffs. From April 2026, the cap is £1,641 per year for a typical household. Most green energy tariffs follow the price cap in the same way as standard tariffs.
A few specialist green suppliers, notably Ecotricity, have a permanent Ofgem exemption because they go beyond standard renewable requirements. Their standard variable tariff may sit above the cap, but customers actively choose this to support genuine green energy development.
Fixed green tariffs are not subject to the price cap. They lock in your rate for the contract term, which can produce significant savings if prices rise, a scenario analysts currently forecast for July 2026 and beyond.
Solar panels installed on a residential rooftop

Solar Panels and the Smart Export Guarantee

If you have solar panels at home, you can earn money by selling your surplus electricity back to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The SEG replaced the old Feed-in Tariff scheme in 2020. Under the SEG, suppliers set their own export rates, so it pays to shop around.
Some green energy suppliers, including Ecotricity and Octopus Energy, offer competitive SEG rates to solar panel owners. When you compare green energy deals on Switch, check whether the tariff includes an SEG rate, especially if you generate your own power at home.

Frequently Asked Questions: Green Energy UK

Is green energy more expensive than standard energy?

Not necessarily. Green energy tariffs are now priced very similarly to standard deals, and fixed green tariffs can often be cheaper than a standard variable tariff at the Ofgem cap. When you compare green energy on Switch, you may be surprised by how competitive the prices are.

What does 100% renewable electricity actually mean?

Can I get green gas as well as green electricity?

How do I know if a green tariff is genuinely green?

Will switching to green energy affect my supply?

What are REGOs and PPAs?

Is there a best time to switch to a green energy tariff?

Compare Green Energy Deals Now: Takes Under 5 Minutes

Switch compares green energy tariffs from the UK's leading renewable suppliers. Whether you want the cheapest deal, the greenest tariff, or the best customer service, we lay out everything clearly so you can choose with confidence.

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