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Choosing a green energy plan could save you money

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New figures reveal that consumers could go green for a fraction of last year’s cost

solar farm

Committing to a green energy plan is often considered a pricier option — but the energy market isn’t currently living up to that belief.

If you have a fixed deal ending this month, a green energy tariff could reduce your carbon footprint and also save you some money.

The seven in ten Brits languishing on expensive standard variable tariffs could cut their annual energy bill by an average of £272 by switching to a green tariff. Suppliers are offering more and more renewable energy options, so there’s now even more choice in the market.

The cheapest dual-fuel green plan is now just eight pounds per year more than the cheapest energy deal on the market. This is compared to £110 just a year ago.

Following recent price rises, the top 24 cheapest green plans are now less expensive than the average big six standard tariff.

New data also reveals that over a quarter (28%) of energy customers are now more likely to choose an environmentally-friendly deal than they were three years ago. Suppliers have kept up with this demand as the number of renewable energy deals has grown from 13 to 30 in the last year — and the first green plan from a big six supplier is expected to launch soon.

What makes an energy plan “green”?

Renewable energy tariffs are backed by at least 100% green electricity – meaning that, for every unit of electricity used, the same amount is produced and put back into the grid from a renewable source.

In addition, some suppliers provide renewable gas from biomethane — even up to as much as 100%

The five cheapest green plans available now

Supplier Plan Average Cost Fixed until
Tonik Energy Positive Energy V8 £866 12 months
ENGIE ENGIE Fixed Sept 18 v4 £873 30/09/18
Bulb Vari-fair £887 No end date
ENGIE ENGIE Fixed Sept 19 v3 £889 30/09/19
ENGIE Green Fixed Sept 18 v4 £912 30/09/18

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  • GampUK

    Green energy is only viable because of outrageous subsidies preferential supply deals and 2 – 3 times supply prices. All paid for by the taxpayer this is a particularly regressive form of taxation.

    • Michael Davies

      And you think the taxpayer doesn’t subsidise coal and oil? Get real and do your homework before posting rubbish!

  • Derekdammad

    I really hate the green energy companies. All they want to do is keep giving green free solar panels systems to homeowners instead of helping everyone in the country including helping people who have council homes. Start giving solar panels to us rent paying council tenants for a change.

    • This offer has got nothing to do with solar panels for home owners. It’s to do with where, and how, the energy company obtains its supplies, be it from solar energy generated by their own panels, or from wind turbines or hydro-electric systems.

      • Derekdammad

        Then how come that green energy firm’s phone us up to see if we want green energy solar panels. Then they asked us if we’re homeowners and when we say no they put the phone down on us.

        • These are solar panel sales people phoning you and, although they call themselves green energy firms, they are NOT suppliers of green energy (electric and gas) through the grid, for which you would pay monthly bills. These people who are phoning you want to know if you are a home owner as they would, in practice, be renting your roof for their solar panels. They can’t rent a roof on a rented property without the landlord’s permission. That’s why they put the phone down on you when you tell them you don’t own the house.

          When they are paying the cost of installing solar panels on someone’s roof, they get to keep the Feed In Tarrif that is paid to solar panel owners, as they retain ownership of the panels. The person living there would only get the savings on the amout of electricity they use, the amount of which would depend on how many panels were installed, and how much the sun shines. This type of cheap installation can also cause problems with house insurance for people who own their home.
          I hope this clarifies things for you.

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