How Renewable Is Your Electricity Tariff? Greenwashing Risks 2026

How renewable is your electricity tariff? Many UK consumers believe they're doing the right thing by choosing a '100% renewable' plan, but often they're not. This greenwashing risk stems from an accounting loophole that lets suppliers sell renewable certificates separately from actual power. In this guide, we break down the issue and help you spot truly green energy.

What Is Greenwashing in the Energy Industry?

Greenwashing occurs when companies exaggerate their environmental efforts. In energy, it happens when suppliers label tariffs as '100% renewable' without matching every unit of electricity with renewable generation. Instead, they rely on Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (Regos) certificates, which can be bought and sold independently of the electricity they represent.

Fran Woodward, managing director at Good Energy, calls this system misleading. “Consumers believe they’re making a difference, often they’re not,” she says. The result is a lack of transparency that makes it hard for customers to know their true carbon impact.

How Regos Work and Why They Can Mislead

Regos are certificates proving that a unit of electricity was generated from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydro. However, suppliers can purchase these certificates when they are cheapest—e.g., solar in summer, wind in winter—and use them to offset power that may come from fossil fuels. This accounting practice allows suppliers to claim 100% renewable status without actually buying renewable electricity.

Comparison: Genuine Green Tariffs vs. Greenwashed Tariffs

Key Takeaways for Consumers

• Check if your supplier buys renewable electricity directly or just uses Regos.
• Look for tariffs that match your consumption with renewable generation in real-time.
• Ask your supplier for a breakdown of their energy mix and certificate sourcing.
• Consider switching to suppliers like Good Energy that prioritize genuine renewables.

How to Choose a Truly Renewable Tariff

First, review your supplier's fuel mix disclosure. Genuine green tariffs will show a high percentage of wind, solar, and hydro. Second, look for independent certifications like the Green Energy Certification Scheme or the Uswitch Green Tariff label. These indicate that the supplier meets strict criteria for renewable sourcing and carbon offsetting.

Additionally, check whether the tariff includes a commitment to building new renewable capacity. Some suppliers invest in new wind or solar farms, which is a stronger signal of genuine commitment than simply buying certificates.

FAQ