EnergyPlus · May 2026
Cheapest UK green electricity tariff to switch to right now (June 2026)
Since Ofgem's October 2024 green-tariff reforms, UK electricity suppliers have to back their 'green' claims with renewable generation that's actually matched to customer demand — not just REGO certificates bought separately on the wholesale market. In May 2026 the cheapest genuinely-green electricity tariffs are PPA-backed fixes from a handful of suppliers, priced in line with the broader market. This page sets out who's offering them, what to look for and how to switch.
Editorial information, not financial advice. Prices and policy can change — always confirm against the supplier and Ofgem.
Cheapest UK green electricity — June 2026 at a glance
In May 2026 the cheapest fully-certified 100% renewable electricity fixes sit roughly 1–4% below the April–June 2026 default tariff cap on typical use. Look for PPA-backed (Power Purchase Agreement) tariffs from suppliers like Good Energy, Octopus, So Energy, Ecotricity and Outfox the Market, which buy from named UK renewable generators rather than relying on REGO-only badges. Switching takes 5 working days under Faster Switching.
Quick checklist (May 2026):
- Ofgem's 2024 green-tariff rules require genuine renewable matching, not just REGO certificates.
- Cheapest PPA-backed green fixes: ~1–4% below cap on typical use.
- Look for named UK generation, not just '100% renewable' badging.
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) for your own solar still works on green tariffs.
- Last updated
- May 2026
- Reviewed by
- Energy Specialist
- Audience
- UK households & small businesses
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Cheapest UK green electricity tariffs to switch to in June 2026
A clear, current overview to help you choose with confidence.
What changed in October 2024
Ofgem's new green-tariff rules tightened the test. Suppliers now have to demonstrate that renewable generation matches their tariffs (PPAs or own assets), with REGO-only claims sharply restricted. The badge means more than it did before 2024.
PPA-backed vs REGO-only
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a multi-year contract to buy electricity from a named UK wind, solar, hydro or biomass site. PPA-backed tariffs are more credible than REGO-only, where the supplier buys renewable certificates separately from the electricity.
Who runs the cheapest PPA-backed tariffs in June 2026
Octopus, Good Energy, So Energy, Ecotricity, Outfox the Market and several Big Six green variants. Pricing is competitive against non-green fixes — typically within 0–2% of the cheapest mainstream fix on typical use.
SEG and your own renewables
Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) rates for export from your solar panels remain set per supplier (typically 5–15p/kWh in May 2026). Most major suppliers pay SEG on both standard and green tariffs — check the SEG rate before switching.
Compare like-for-like
Indicative May 2026 view. Run a personalised comparison with the form on this page for your postcode and usage.
| What to compare | Typical range (May 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Default tariff cap (Apr–Jun 2026) | Reference baseline | Maximum on standard variable tariffs. |
| Cheapest mainstream 12-month fix | ~2–6% below cap | Not all green — read the fuel-mix disclosure. |
| PPA-backed green 12-month fix | ~1–4% below cap on typical use | Genuinely-certified UK renewable generation. Look for named PPAs. |
| 100% renewable variant (REGO-led) | At cap to ~2% below | More restricted under Ofgem 2024 rules — read the disclosure. |
| Smart Tracker (where green-matched) | Wholesale-linked, sub-cap most days | Needs SMETS2; green-matched on some suppliers. |
How to switch to the cheapest UK green electricity tariff (June 2026)
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1. Pull your annual electricity kWh
Use your last bill or supplier app — most recent 12 months.
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2. Decide your green standard
PPA-backed (strongest), REGO-supported, or any 100% renewable badge. PPA-backed is the most credible after Ofgem's 2024 reforms.
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3. Compare prices
Read each supplier's fuel-mix disclosure and check the unit rate + standing charge against the May 2026 cap.
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4. Run a whole-of-market comparison
Use the form on this page — it surfaces certified-green tariffs for your postcode.
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5. Check SEG if you have solar
If you export, compare SEG rates as well as import rates — they vary widely by supplier.
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6. Apply and submit a meter read
Switch completes in 5 working days. Submit an opening read on day one.
Common pitfalls to avoid
The most frequent issues we see when households and businesses act on what looks like a good deal.
- Trusting '100% renewable' badging without reading the supplier's fuel-mix disclosure.
- Forgetting to check the exit fee — green fixes still have them, often £50–£75 per fuel.
- Switching to green and losing a sub-cap conventional fix — sometimes the green premium is more than 1–4%.
- Confusing biomass for low-carbon — not all green-labelled tariffs are zero-carbon.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest UK green electricity tariff in June 2026?
PPA-backed 12-month fixes from suppliers like Octopus, Good Energy, So Energy and Ecotricity sit roughly 1–4% below the April–June 2026 cap on typical use. The cheapest in your postcode depends on network region — use the form for postcode-specific quotes.
Is 'green' electricity really green in 2026?
Since Ofgem's October 2024 reforms, the test is tighter — suppliers must back claims with PPAs or own renewable assets, with REGO-only claims sharply restricted. Look for named UK generators in the supplier's fuel-mix disclosure for the strongest claim.
Are green tariffs more expensive than standard ones?
Not in May 2026 — the cheapest PPA-backed green fixes are within 0–2% of the cheapest mainstream fix on typical use. The 'green premium' has narrowed sharply since 2024 reforms.
What's a REGO?
Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin — a certificate issued by Ofgem for each MWh of UK renewable generation. Before 2024 reforms, suppliers could buy REGOs separately from electricity and badge the tariff '100% renewable'. After the reforms, that practice is sharply restricted.
Do green tariffs work with my solar panels?
Yes — most green tariffs pay Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) on solar exports just like non-green tariffs. Compare the SEG rate (typically 5–15p/kWh in May 2026) alongside the import unit rate before switching.
Can I get a green Economy 7 tariff?
Yes — major green suppliers offer Economy 7 variants for storage-heater and overnight-EV homes. The off-peak unit rate matters most for storage heaters; the green status doesn't change the off-peak/peak split.
Which suppliers are best for green electricity in June 2026?
Good Energy, Octopus, So Energy, Ecotricity and Outfox the Market are well-regarded for PPA-backed green tariffs. The Big Six all offer green variants of varying robustness — read the fuel-mix disclosure.
How long does switching to a green tariff take?
Five working days under the Faster Switching guarantee, same as any other electricity switch. You don't lose supply during the switch and there's a 14-day cooling-off period.
Trust, methodology and sources
Page governance
- Written by
- EnergyPlus Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Energy Specialist
- Last updated
- May 2026
How we keep this page current
We refresh this page each month against the latest Ofgem cap, supplier tariff changes and current scheme guidance. Worked numbers are illustrative; quotes you receive via the comparison form are personalised to your meter and postcode.
Editorial independence: our priority is clarity and like-for-like comparison. Where commercial relationships exist, options are still presented on suitability and the information available at the time.
Reputable UK sources we reference
- Ofgem — green tariffs and disclosure
- Energy Saving Trust — renewable energy
- Citizens Advice — compare energy tariffs
If you spot anything that looks out of date (a rule change, a new scheme), please contact EnergyPlus so we can review and update this page.
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