Ecotricity is New Zealand’s dedicated 100% renewable electricity retailer. Unlike the gentailers that sell renewable generation as one option among many, Ecotricity exists specifically to provide certified green electricity and support environmental outcomes. They’re for households that want to go genuinely green and are willing to pay a small premium to do it.
Type: Specialist green retailer
Renewable claim: 100% Toitū certified renewable electricity
Environmental support: Revenue supports NZ conservation projects
Premium: Typically 5–10% above cheapest available plan at the same address
Best for: Environmentally committed households
What “100% Renewable” Actually Means at Ecotricity
When Ecotricity says 100% renewable, they mean they hold renewable energy certificates (specifically, Toitū Envirocare-certified RECs) that match every kWh they sell to customers with verified renewable generation. This is the highest standard of green electricity certification available in NZ.
Important context: NZ’s national grid is already ~80–85% renewable in a typical year. Even customers with non-green retailers are mostly using renewable electricity in practice. What green retailer certification adds is:
- Verified matching of your consumption with renewable generation
- Financial support for renewable development
- Environmental project funding (in Ecotricity’s case, direct conservation contributions)
For many households, Ecotricity’s premium is about values and supporting environmental projects rather than a practical difference in the electricity delivered to your home.
Ecotricity Plans (2026)
Standard Variable Plan
- Unit rate: approximately 33–40c/kWh (major urban areas, incl. GST)
- Daily charge: approximately 55–75c/day
- Toitū certified 100% renewable
- No long-term contract required
Fixed-Term Plans
- Available on request; pricing varies
Pricing is typically 5–10% above the cheapest non-certified plans at a given address.
Ecotricity’s Strengths
1. Toitū accredited 100% renewable The highest level of NZ renewable electricity certification. Ecotricity’s renewable claim is independently verified — not just marketing.
2. Environmental project funding A portion of Ecotricity’s revenue goes directly to conservation projects in NZ. They publish their environmental spending. For households motivated by environmental impact, this is a meaningful differentiator.
3. Carbon zero certified Ecotricity is carbon zero certified under the Toitū framework, accounting for their operational emissions as well as electricity sourcing.
4. Simple, transparent product Ecotricity doesn’t have complex pricing tiers or lots of plan options. The proposition is clear: 100% renewable electricity at a slight premium.
5. Good for businesses wanting to report Scope 2 emissions Businesses that need to report on their electricity-related carbon emissions often value certified renewable electricity certificates. Ecotricity is a common choice for NZ businesses with sustainability commitments.
Ecotricity’s Weaknesses
1. Costs more than non-certified alternatives The 5–10% premium over the cheapest available plan represents roughly $100–$200/year for a typical household. Whether this is worthwhile is a personal values decision.
2. Smaller retailer Ecotricity is a smaller operation than the gentailers. Customer service resources are limited compared to a company like Meridian or Contact.
3. No innovative features No Hour of Power, no spot pricing, no broadband bundle. The product is simple but doesn’t offer the value-adds of competitive retailers like Electric Kiwi.
Is Ecotricity Worth the Premium?
For households motivated primarily by minimising cost: No — the same environmental outcome (supporting NZ renewables) can be achieved by voting with your wallet through purchasing RECs directly or donating the premium to conservation causes.
For households where environmental certification matters specifically — maybe yes:
- You want formal verification of your electricity’s renewable source
- Your business needs Scope 2 emissions reporting with certified RECs
- You want to support a NZ company specifically built around environmental outcomes
- The premium is modest relative to your household budget and values
Ecotricity vs Meridian (Both Claim Renewable)
Both Meridian and Ecotricity position on renewable electricity:
| Feature | Ecotricity | Meridian Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Renewable claim | 100% Toitū certified | 100% own generation (hydro + wind) |
| Certification | Third-party Toitū verified | Based on own generation portfolio |
| Price premium | ~5–10% above cheapest | ~2–5% above cheapest |
| Environmental project funding | Yes | No specific fund |
| Broadband | No | No |
Meridian’s renewable claim is based on their own generation — they genuinely produce only renewable electricity. Ecotricity’s is based on certificate matching but the third-party certification adds accountability.
Verdict
Ecotricity is the right choice for households where green certification, verified renewable electricity, and environmental funding are priorities, and who are comfortable paying a modest premium for these values. For households primarily focused on cost, competitive retailers like Electric Kiwi or Flick Electric offer better value.
Rating: 3.5/5 — Excellent for environmentally committed households; not the value choice.