MENU Green energy: powered by nature For decades, the UK has been fuelled by dirty energy. Burning fossil fuels shaped our past, but green energy is our future! That’s why every OVO energy plan comes with 100% renewable electricity1 at no extra cost. Get a quote What’s green energy? Green energy is renewable energy. It comes from renewable sources like the wind, sun, and sea. The fact they’re renewable means we’ll never run out of them. The best thing about taking energy from these natural resources is that they’re cleaner and healthier. Plus, they’ll be here for us for generations to come! Sources of green electricity: how does green energy work? These are the most common renewable energy sources in the UK. Wind Britain’s blustery shores are a big advantage. In 2020, almost a quarter of the UK’s electricity came from wind turbines3. Find out how wind energy works. Solar Clever solar panels catch the sun’s rays and turn them into electricity. They do this with what’s known as the “photovoltaic effect“. Learn more about solar energy. Hydro Water mills have been used to generate energy for thousands of years. And they’re just as powerful today! Read our guide to hydroelectric energy. Tidal Tidal energy works by harnessing the natural awesome power of the sea. This is done with turbines, lagoons, and barrages that are placed on the coastline. Dip a toe into tidal energy. Biomass energy Biomass energy comes from burning natural matter like wood or food waste. It’s renewable, but there are some questions about how green it really is. Learn more about biomass energy. Geothermal energy Geothermal energy comes from the heat that’s created deep beneath the surface of the Earth. Want to learn more? Read our guide to renewable energy, and why it’s so important for green energy companies to back it. Benefits of green energy Renewable electricity is called “renewable” because it won’t run out – the sunshine, wind, and tides will go on forever Green energy is low carbon, meaning it has little or no carbon footprint It’s cleaner, and better for our health, than burning fossil fuels And cutting down on pollution is better for our planet’s health, too! Ready to switch to a green energy supplier? Here at OVO, we don’t just offer optional green energy tariffs. Our electricity is all green, all the time. Our members get 100% renewable electricity as standard 4. And that’s not all, we’re also planting millions of trees around the UK. Together with our partners the Woodland Trust, we’ll plant a tree for you, for every year you’re with us5. Plus: use the handy OVO Greenlight to understand your carbon footprint, and get suggestions on how to shrink it. Find out how much you could save today. Already with OVO? You can still be part of the change by referring a friend – and we’ll give you a £50 gift card to say thanks! How to switch to an OVO green energy tariff At sign up We’ll need your bank details to set up your direct debit 2 weeks later We’ll ask for a meter reading so we can give you accurate bills 3 weeks later Your switch will be complete and you’ll be part of the OVO family Get a quote Why OVO is greener than most Here at OVO, we’re doing more than supplying renewable energy. We’re supporting a greener future for the UK with new tools and technologies, such as: OVO Greenlight: use our clever tool to see where in your home you use the most electricity or gas (hello, cooker) – and spot ways you can cut waste. Our simple breakdown and tailored tips will help you save both cash and carbon Vehicle-to-grid charging: revolutionary electric car chargers that feed unused power back into the national electricity network Tree-planting: by planting 1 tree per year for every OVO member (and 5 per year for OVO Beyond members), we’ve planted over 1.8 million trees in the UK so far! Want to go even greener? OVO Beyond is our green upgrade. It gives you 100% carbon-neutral energy6. That’s 100% renewable electricity, and 100% carbon-neutral gas. (15% is green gas, and for the rest, we invest in carbon offsetting projects around the world.) Plus: we’ll plant 5 extra trees in your name, for every year you’re with us. Explore Beyond Smart technologies to make your home greener Air source heat pumps explained Air source heat pumps could be a greener, more efficient way to heat your home. Find out about the pros and cons – and if they’re right for you. Find out more What is a smart meter, and how does it save you money? Read our guide to how smart meters work, what they do and all the benefits of getting one. Find out more Home energy storage: is it right for you? With green energy on the rise, home technology is getting smarter and more sustainable. Don’t get left behind – find out how home energy storage could save you money. Find out more Frequently asked questions about green energy Is green energy more expensive? What is a green energy tariff? How green is nuclear energy? How green is biomass energy? What’s the difference between renewable and green energy? 1 100% of the renewable electricity we sell is backed by renewable certificates (Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates (REGOs)). See here for details on Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates and how these work. A proportion of the electricity we sell is also purchased directly from renewable generators in the UK. 2 Saving based on the estimated annual cost for a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, high user (4300 kWhs elec. and 17000 kWhs gas) paying monthly in advance by Direct Debit. Comparisons made against the Ofgem published tariff cap for a customer on a standard variable or default tariff that comes into effect on 01/04/2021, applied to the same high user consumption values. Savings are an estimate only and your actual costs will vary according to your region and usage. All rates correct as of 05/08/2021. 3 www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/28/uk-electricity-from-renewables-outpaces-gas-and-coal-power 4 The renewable electricity we sell is backed by renewable certificates (Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates (REGOs)). See here for details on REGO certificates and how these work. 5 Each year, OVO plants 1 tree for every member in partnership with the Woodland Trust. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so tree-planting helps to slow down climate change. 6 Enjoy even greener energy with OVO Beyond in comparison with our standard OVO plans. In addition to 100% renewable electricity as available with our standard plans, OVO Beyond reduces your yearly carbon emissions from the energy used in your home that is supplied by OVO to net zero by providing 100% carbon-neutral gas (15% green gas and 85% offset) and offsetting all associated lifecycle carbon emissions involved in the production and consumption of your electricity & gas, you will also get 5 trees per year in UK schools and communities and other green benefits. The renewable electricity we sell is backed by renewable certificates (Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates (REGOs)). See here for details on Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin certificates and how these work. The green gas we sell is backed via renewable certificates (Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGOs)). See here for details on Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin and how these work. We offset the remaining emissions by supporting UN REDD+ carbon reduction projects that are certified to the Verified Carbon Standard or the Gold Standard. See here for more information on how we restore nature and protect rainforests with our offsetting programmes. 7 Saving based on the estimated annual cost for a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, high user (4300 kWhs elec. and 17000 kWhs gas) paying monthly in advance by Direct Debit. Comparisons made against the Ofgem published tariff cap for a customer on a standard variable or default tariff that comes into effect on 01/04/2021, applied to the same high user consumption values. Savings are an estimate only and your actual costs will vary according to your region and usage. All rates correct as of 05/08/2021. 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