Which? unveils leading energy firms for sustainability

Good Energy, GEUK and Ecotricity have beaten the biggest energy firms to be named the best providers on sustainability, Which? research reveals, with all three crowned Which?’s first Eco Providers for energy.

British Gas, Scottish Power, Bulb and Octopus were the best of the ‘big’ providers on sustainability in Which?’s analysis of more than 40 energy firms, but failed to meet the standards set by the three smaller suppliers named as Eco Providers.

Climate-conscious energy customers are increasingly seeking out renewable tariffs and a new Which? survey of more than 900 members found that 50 per cent consider the sustainability of energy suppliers to be important.

Seven in 10 (72%) of those surveyed said they expect that companies selling green tariffs will buy renewable electricity from other companies or generators, while a similar number (67%) expected that the company generates its own renewable electricity.

More than a dozen energy suppliers have ceased trading in recent months amid soaring wholesale gas prices, resulting in consumers paying more to heat and power their homes. This has reinforced the importance of firms providing clear information for customers about what they are getting for their money, especially if their supplier’s green credentials are vital to them.

To find out how energy companies match up on sustainability, Which? asked over 40 energy companies about the renewable electricity and green gas they sell to homes, and looked at their websites to see how easy it is for customers to understand what they are buying. Each company was given a rating out of 20 and there was a gap of 18 points between the highest and lowest scores – among those firms which responded.

Good Energy (overall score of 19 points), Ecotricity (16) and GEUK (14) topped Which?’s rankings to become Eco Providers for energy, with their approach to renewable gas and electricity largely matching what most environment-conscious customers would expect. All three are long-standing sustainability frontrunners in the energy market.

Good Energy buys the majority of its renewable electricity directly from generators, including more than a thousand small-scale producers. It also generates some renewable electricity using solar and wind, and sells green gas.

While GEUK does not generate renewable electricity itself, the supplier said that it buys enough directly from its network of commercial and independent renewable generators in the UK to match its customers’ use. It is the only energy firm to sell 100% green gas.

Meanwhile, Ecotricity generates some renewable power, buys some of it directly from generators and matches the remainder with green energy certificates. It puts customers’ money towards building new renewable generation.

Other bigger, established providers rank well too. British Gas (overall score of 11) and British Gas Evolve (12) generate renewable electricity and buy some directly from generators. Around two-thirds of their electricity is matched with renewable power generated outside the UK.

Scottish Power (11.5) says it’s ‘one of the biggest developers and generators of renewable electricity in the UK and Ireland’. None of the electricity it sells is backed by green energy certificates only.

Fast-growing brands Bulb and Octopus Energy scored well, with both buying some renewable power directly from generators. Octopus also generates some renewable energy itself.

In contrast, Northumbria Energy, Utilita and Utility Warehouse only picked up a handful of points between them. None position themselves as sustainable providers, nor do they generate or buy any renewable power directly from generators, or buy enough certificates to label all of their power 100% renewable.

Not all companies can generate renewable electricity. The upfront costs are high and revenue streams are uncertain. Some companies question whether focusing on fuel mix is the best route to net zero. Utilita, for example, told Which? it places an emphasis on helping households to use less energy.

But two thirds (65%) of Which? members said that the most important thing about green tariffs is transparency about where a company’s renewable electricity comes from.

The consumer watchdog believes the rules about marketing green tariffs and supplier credentials need to be clearer and go beyond the basics so customers can be confident in what they are buying.

Says Harry Rose, Which? Magazine Editor: 

“We know consumers are growing ever-more environmentally conscious, and our research shows that some energy firms go to great lengths to invest in the technology we need to clean up the grid, generate renewable electricity, or buy it from renewable generators.

“However, some other energy suppliers do the minimum required to label their tariffs ‘green’ and it can be hard for consumers to understand what they are buying.

“Which? believes there needs to be greater clarity on how renewable electricity is defined and marketed. People can only make informed decisions about where to buy their energy from if firms are more upfront and transparent about their green credentials.”