As the "Big Six" energy companies continue to raise gas and electricity prices, it’s refreshing to hear some of the smaller energy providers are refusing to join in with extravagant inflation-busting increases.

Good Energy, a provider of 100% renewable electricity, has promised not to raise their electricity prices before 2012; a price that has not risen since 2008.

Their gas is going up in price however, but only by 9.4%, as opposed to the average 18% price increases by the big companies.

Juliet Davenport, founder and CEO of Good Energy, said: "I think that Good Energy is now a great alternative to the ‘Big Six’ energy suppliers.

"Not only do we supply independently guaranteed 100% renewable electricity and industry-leading customer service, but we’re committed to making green power accessible for everyone."

Juliet explained that Good Energy have been able to hold their prices "partly due to improvements in our weather forecasting techniques enhancing our ability to trade renewable electricity more efficiently, and because of the investments we’ve made in developing new sources of green energy, such as our wind farm in Cornwall."

It’s good to know there are alternatives to the stranglehold of the Big Six. Many of the smaller energy providers can not only provide you with better deals, but can also give you the satisfaction that comes with using green energy suppliers. It’s an energy saving, money saving double whammy!

Why not shop around a bit, rather than sticking with what you know or have used year after year?

Along with Good Energy, other green energy providers worth checking out include Ebico (the UK’s only not-for-profit energy supplier), Ovo Energy (the top ranked energy supplier in the 2010 Which? customer satisfaction survey), and Ecotricity, who reinvest profits into clean energy such as wind power.

[Image: Peter Heilmann]