EDF Confusion

chrisedward

EDF claim that over 91% of the electricity they generate and sell in the UK comes from nuclear and renewables, so I’m confused as to why their tariffs have increased inline with suppliers who are fossil fuel based. Has anyone else questioned this and/or had an answer as to why this is?

QrizB

Welcome to the forum.

Yes, this has been questioned (and explained) many times in recent weeks.

Edit to add:

Here is an article at The Conversation that explains it in more detail than I can:

https://theconversation.com/renewables-are-cheaper-than-ever-so-why-are-household-energy-bills-only-going-up-174795

chrisedward

That’s great thanks - I guess the most telling line in the article is this “…because in wholesale electricity markets, the most expensive generator sets the price.”

Definitely helps explain things, but makes it all the more frustrating having chosen EDF specifically for their non-fossil fuel generation…

QrizB

Other than generating your own electricity (which has its own pitfalls) the closest I know of to buying renewables directly would be taking a stake in Ripple:

https://rippleenergy.com/

There's a thread about Ripple, including the pros and cons, on the "Green and Ethical" MSE board:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6177271/ripple-energy-wind-farm