UKC

Do they actually drive rate of adoption of renewables? I imagine the total electricity used by people on these tariffs is less than the total renewable generated, and that % share is increasing.

In reality does it do anything other than subsidise the energy of those remaining on the standard mix price by selling some as a premium.

The yearly cost difference off a green tariff over cheapest is about the same as the cost of offsetting my entire yearly CO2 - at the end of the day they are both paper trading exercises.

I think it depends on the company.  When I was looking I focused on companies that directly invested in developing new renewable generation so are contributing to making electricity greener overall.  Otherwise electricity is electricity and there is no way to distinguish green from non-green.

Ovo and Ecotricity both massively involved in developing new renewables (and Ecotricity in rolling out the electric highway too).  I think Good Energy are similarly proactive. 

Whether buying power through these firms is more or less effective overall than getting the cheapest deal you possibly can and investing the rest in renewables via Ethex - that I don't know.

Interestingly Ovo aren't 100% renewable they get the majority of their electricity from gas based generation - https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-fuel-mix

We are currently with Good Energy who have been fine.

We are looking at Bulb, who don't produce their own energy but buy 100% green energy they seem cheaper than Good Energy - https://community.bulb.co.uk/discussion/73/where-does-bulb-get-its-energy-f...

Although I need to investigate a bit more to see if they are doing this - https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/blog/2017/08/15/green-tariffs-and-regos/

I'm with bulb - was no hassle to switch to them and actually cheaper than my previous, landlord selected supplier (SSE). No complaints at all so far.  If you do sign up with them, use a referral link (like this one: http://bulb.co.uk/refer/ians6102?utm_campaign=account-referral-share&ut... ) which will add some funds to the account of your referrer.

FWIW I carbon offset as well (using Mossy Earth) to cover driving and the like, which is £10/month. 

I have just moved to octopus energy which says that it uses 100%  renewable energy, it's communication during the move was great and good pricing.

Also do referral link for £50 off.