So Energy Charging over the price cap for Green Energy

MarkLus

After the latest price cap change So Energy stated they could no longer provide 100% green energy. They do now offer a So Flex Green tariff which is set above the price cap.

Is this legal? Surely a price Cap is a price cap. Does the price cap only cover the lowest rate or should it cover all rates regardless of their make up.

Secondly does anyone know a company providing 100% green energy that is within the price cap?

For ref So Flex Green rates are:
Gas 6.92 kWh (as Price Cap) 29.60 p/day (as PC)
Elec is 29.75 kWh (28.26 PC) and 62.22 p/day (as PC).

Ayr_Rage

I cannot understand your post.

In the first paragraph you say So Flex Green is set above the cap, then the rates you quote are all as per the cap.

The cap is regional and only applies to the Standard Variable tariffs.

PRAISETHESUN

The price cap only applies to SVT. If you agree to a fix then they are allowed to charge more than the price cap.

I'm with Octopus and they are 100% green electricity and are below the price cap. They also offer a referral program - if you know someone who is an existing customer you can both get £50 bill credit.

powergen_insider

The suppliers that actually have 100% green energy (rather than just greenwashed energy) are exempt from the price cap.

QrizB

PRAISETHESUN said:

The price cap only applies to SVT. If you agree to a fix then they are allowed to charge more than the price cap.

Selective variable tariffs are also not subject to the price cap.

MarkLus said:

After the latest price cap change So Energy stated they could no longer provide 100% green energy. They do now offer a So Flex Green tariff which is set above the price cap.
Is this legal?

If So Energy offer a price-capped SVT, and also offer an uncapped "green" tariff, then yes it is legal.

powergen_insider said:

The suppliers that actually have 100% green energy (rather than just greenwashed energy) are exempt from the price cap.

Exactly this. There are three green suppliers - Ecotricity, Good Energy and GEUK / 100Green - who are recognised as providing genuinely greener electricity. These suppliers are exempt from the Ofgem price cap.

Spoonie_Turtle

For simplicity and clarity, the standard variable tariff (SVT) - to which the price cap applies - is the 'if you do nothing and don't choose any tariff, this is the default they'll put you on'.

If you actively choose any other tariff, it can be whatever price they want to set, because you've chosen it and are agreeing to that price.

The price cap was originally to protect customers who never switched and never actively engaged with their energy, to prevent them being charged excessively.  Nowadays it functions to protect the supplier as well, to allow them to make a minimal amount of profit so they don't all go bust.

Librarylottie

Is there any point in referring So Energy to the Ombudsman? Do they obtain compensation or simply fine the company?

Spoonie_Turtle

Librarylottie said:

Is there any point in referring So Energy to the Ombudsman? Do they obtain compensation or simply fine the company?

The outcome of going to the Ombudsman depends why you're having to take your case to them, although I don't think they do either of those - they often decide a 'goodwill payment' is in order alongside righting whatever they've done wrong, although there are plenty of cases that they decide the supplier has done nothing wrong so nothing happens. 

In the context of this specific thread there is no case because they're doing nothing wrong so no point whatsoever.

It's Ofgem that fine suppliers where applicable, if they're consistently doing something wrong.