Cost of Green Energy Supply
across the UK

# Green Energy Supply Accreditation

Green energy suppliers in the UK operate under several regulatory frameworks and voluntary accreditation schemes that give consumers confidence in their claims. The main regulator is Ofgem, which licenses all electricity and gas suppliers and enforces standards around billing, customer service, and complaints handling, though this applies to all energy suppliers regardless of how green they are. For genuinely renewable credentials, look for accreditation from bodies like the Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAcT), which verifies that suppliers are backing renewable generation through Power Purchase Agreements or renewable energy certificates. The Green Energy UK scheme certifies that suppliers meet specific environmental standards, while Carbon Trust Standard certification demonstrates verified carbon footprint management. Understanding these distinctions is important because some suppliers market themselves as "green" without third-party verification, so genuine accreditation provides meaningful reassurance that a company's environmental claims are substantiated rather than merely aspirational.

Verifying a provider's accreditation is straightforward: check the supplier's website for logos and certificate numbers, then cross-reference them on the issuing body's official register. Ofgem accreditation can be verified through the Ofgem Supplier Register, while schemes like REAcT publish searchable lists of certified businesses on their websites. Contact the accreditation body directly if you're unsure whether a certificate is current, as this takes only a few minutes and eliminates the risk of outdated or fraudulently claimed credentials. This verification matters because accreditation indicates the supplier has undergone independent audits, maintains specific standards, and can be held accountable if they breach their commitments. It also reduces the risk of dealing with fly-by-night operators or firms making exaggerated environmental claims without backing them up.

Accredited green energy suppliers typically charge a modest premium over standard suppliers, often between 5 and 15