For United Kingdom customers, IKEA announced a partnership with broker/aggregator Big Clean Switch to offer a 100% renewable electricity supply plan (tariff) sourced from a third-party retail supplier
IKEA will work with Big Clean Switch under a "collective switch" (aggregation) model to secure an exclusive tariff on 100% renewable electricity for its customers from a retail electric supplier
For every switch, IKEA will receive a commission payment which IKEA said will support local community initiatives. At the end of the campaign the commission will be split amongst IKEA UK stores. The amount each store receives will be dependent on which ones generate the most switches and the money is to be used specifically for local community initiatives within each store’s area.
Hege Sæbjørnsen, Sustainability Manager at IKEA UK, said, “At IKEA, our commitment to sustainability goes beyond minimising the impact of our own operations to having a positive impact on the world around us. We want to provide our customers with innovative solutions that will help them live a more sustainable life at home and save money in the short and long-term. By partnering with the Big Clean Switch, we hope to make switching to renewable electricity simple, accessible and affordable to everyone.”
Last year, IKEA UK introduced home solar panels and battery storage (SOLSTRÅLE) into their product range in a bid to make solar more accessible and support home owners towards becoming energy independent.
Here's how IKEA describes the switching process:
How can customers switch to renewable energy with IKEA?
• Pre-registration starts on Tuesday 20th February. Just show your interest by popping in your email address in the Switch and Save portal bigcleanswitch.org/ikea. The more people that do this, the better the deal could be for everyone.
• The Big Clean Switch’s network of renewable electricity suppliers then compete to offer us their best value tariff.
• We will then get in touch again to let you know the cost and how easy it is to switch once live on Tuesday 6th March.
The exclusive tariff under the IKEA program is available for a limited time only, from Tuesday 6th March until Monday 26th March, with pre-registration starting on Tuesday 20th February.
IKEA said the tariff could help customers save over £300 a year. Savings based on prices sourced from EnergyHelpline and correct as of 6 February 2018. Saving compares the annual energy bill for an average usage dual fuel household on a Big Six Standard Variable Tariff paying by monthly direct debit with a single rate meter with the cheapest dual fuel tariff supplying 100% renewable electricity available through the Big Clean Switch website, again paying by monthly direct debit with a single rate meter. Prices are averaged across all regions of England, Scotland and Wales. Average usage as defined by Ofgem is 12,000 kWh pa of gas and 3,100 kWh pa of electricity.