Eight green tariffs have received the highest ‘Gold’ classification from Uswitch’s Green Accreditation — with 115 green tariffs making the list overall[1]
One tariff from British Gas and seven from Good Energy receive a ‘Gold’ rating, which recognises the deals that source the most renewable energy[2]
Tariffs from Scottish Power, Octopus and EDF reach ‘Silver’ standard, while 98 tariffs have been classed as Bronze[1]
The ‘first of its kind’ Uswitch Green Accreditation — led by a panel of independent experts — helps consumers understand the different approaches suppliers are taking on renewable energy tariffs
The accreditation from Uswitch.com shows how far suppliers’ tariffs go towards supporting renewable generation, considering industry processes such as REGOS, PPAs and investment into future renewable power.
Eight green tariffs from two energy suppliers have been graded as ‘Gold’ by the industry-first Uswitch Green Accreditation — with 115 green tariffs making the list overall.
The tariffs, from Good Energy and British Gas[2], have been judged to be ‘market leading’ for their environmental credentials by an independent panel of experts brought together by the price comparison and switching service, Uswitch.com.
The number of green tariffs in the energy market has grown rapidly, and they often rank among the cheapest deals available. However, although a third of households are now on a green tariff[3], more than half of Brits (52%) are confused about what a green energy deal actually means[4].
The Uswitch Green Accreditation is the first ever scheme to categorise tariffs into ‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’ categories, splitting them up depending on the level of renewable energy suppliers directly buy and the amount of investment they are making to support the growth of renewable energy.
Good Energy was praised for its drive for surplus renewable energy to be put back on the grid - meaning that its customers not only power their homes with renewable electricity, but contribute to it being available to others. Meanwhile, British Gas was called out for its commitment to becoming a net zero business by 2045 and having an electrified fleet by 2025.
Seven tariffs from Scottish Power have been classed as ‘Silver’, alongside one from Octopus and EDF, recognising the level of renewable electricity these suppliers buy directly for these tariffs - while a further 98 tariffs have been classed as Bronze.
The independent panel will review the criteria for each accreditation standard annually, so that it reflects current market conditions and ensures customers can always trust they are choosing a tariff that reflects best practice at the time.
What each classification means:
Green Accreditation classification
| Classification | What it means |
|---|---|
| Bronze | Bronze Standard Green tariffs provide electricity that is matched with renewable generation certificates (REGOs). Suppliers can buy these certificates from renewable energy generators and they show how much renewable electricity has been put on the grid. |
| Silver | Silver Standard Green accreditation is given to tariffs that include at least 42.9% of electricity bought directly from renewable generators via so-called Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The number is based on the proportion of renewable energy generated in 2020. Dual fuel tariffs that have slightly less electricity purchased via PPAs (around 32.9%) can still reach Silver Standard if they include some green gas (biomethane) in the gas mix and/or offset the gas consumed through schemes that can be traced to specific carbon offset projects, following a world-class quality standard. |
| Gold | Gold Standard tariffs will provide 100% of renewable electricity from PPAs and 10% of green gas. These tariffs will also provide a meaningful contribution towards increasing and/or promoting renewable energy, for example investing into future renewable generation, such as wind or solar and market innovations that help promote renewable uptake. The independent panel has reviewed these tariffs and handpicked the ones that can truly be called market leading in their environmental credentials. |
Consumers will also be able to see the details of a green tariff and whether it has received Green Accreditation on the Uswitch Green Accreditation site, in addition to when they compare energy deals.
Richard Neudegg, head of regulation at Uswitch.com, comments: “More and more consumers are purchasing green tariffs but it’s been difficult up to now for bill-payers to know exactly what’s under the hood of these deals. Our Green Accreditation, set by our independent expert panel, should make it easier for people wanting to make green choices, to weigh up what’s on offer.
“Consumers want to help the environment, so we want to make it as simple as possible for them to confidently pick the tariffs that help support renewable energy.”
Find out more about the Green Accreditation here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ross Stebbing
Phone: 07827 836 709
Email: ross.stebbing@rvu.co.uk
Twitter: @UswitchPR
Notes to editors
1. Uswitch Green Accreditation data. See table below.
2. Uswitch Green Accreditation data. See table below.
3. Research conducted online by Opinium, 16 to 19 March 2021, among 2,000 adults, weighted to be nationally representative. Respondents were asked ‘Are you on a green tariff?’ 33% said ‘yes’. 33% of 27,600,000 UK households = 9.1 million UK households are on a green tariff. 36% said ‘don’t know’.
4. Respondents were asked ‘Do you feel confused by what a green tariff actually means?’ 52% of energy bill-payers said ‘yes’.
List of accredited Bronze, Silver and Gold tariffs by supplier:
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.
