E.ON switches residential customers to 100% renewable electricity

E.ON will provide all its residential customers with a 100% renewable electricity supply at no extra cost.

The switch by E.ON, one of the UK’s ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers, means that 3.3 million additional homes will receive electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass.

Dubbed the largest move of its type to date in the UK, the announcement marks a significant increase of households in the UK supported by 100% renewable electricity.

‘Climate change is the defining issue of our era and one that energy customers are increasingly concerned about,’ said E.ON UK Chief Executive Michael Lewis.

‘We believe large-scale action can make significant change possible and we’re committed to playing a leading role and setting an example for others to follow, that’s why we’re providing all of our residential customers with 100% renewable electricity as standard – a change at a scale never seen before in Britain.’

E.ON explained that it is directly supplying a ‘large proportion’ of this renewable electricity through its own renewable electricity fleet and through purchases from independent wind generators across the UK.

It said that the remainder of the electricity being supplied to customers is being matched with 100% renewable electricity sourced externally through renewable electricity guarantee certificates.

E.ON added that the move comes as part of the company’s wider move to become more sustainable and expand its smart tech range.

‘Our announcement is an important first step in a journey towards a more sustainable and personalised energy system, but the future of energy doesn’t stop here,’ Lewis added.

‘The opportunities include helping all of our customers to better manage their energy through smart, personalised and sustainable technologies.’

Alongside its announcement, E.ON shared the results of a YouGov survey which found growing demand across the UK for clean energy.

The survey of over 4,300 electricity consumers found that 61% of those not already on a renewable tariff would switch to one if it could be done at a ‘reasonable’ price.

The public shift in demand comes as the UK aims to decarbonise its economy and phase out using fossil fuels to generate its electricity.

Last month the country’s electricity network went its longest-ever run without coal-fired power since records began, lasting 18 days and 6 hours.

However, gas and nuclear power still accounted for 60% of electricity generation during this time, while only around a third of generation was provided by renewable sources.

Photo Credit: Robin Mulligan