Bullfrog Power (ON)
Bullfrog Power is the only energy provider that specializes solely in green energy across Canada. It is present in all Canadian provinces and offers green electricity and natural gas options. A privately held company, it is based out of Toronto, Ontario, and has offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, and Halifax. A B-Corporation certified company, it also holds partnerships with numerous environmental institutions and non-profit organizations, among them the Pembina Institute, the David Suzuki Foundation, and the World Wildlife Federation.
Residential Offers
| Energy Type | Rates |
|---|---|
| Electricity | 2.5 cents per kWh |
| Gas | 13.3 cents per m3 |
| Dual fuel | 5% discount on both rates |
History
Bullfrog Power was founded in 2005 by Greg Keissling and Tom Heintzman, and was the first electricity retailer in Ontario to provide 100% green electricity (wind and low-impact hydro). The company has since launched in all other provinces in Canada. It has continued to expand throughout the country, and in 2011 it introduced a green natural gas product sourced from a methane-capture project situated on a landfill in Quebec. This is the first and to this date only renewable gas product available in Canada.
How it Works
Unlike with other energy suppliers, customers of Bullfrog continue to purchase and receive power from their existing energy supplier. They pay a premium to Bullfrog Power to "green" their energy consumption by injecting an equivalent amount of clean, renewable energy into the energy system. This premium goes towards paying for the pricier green energy and towards funding new renewable energy projects.
Customers of Bullfrog Power therefore receive an additional bill to their utility bill, which is based on the customer's estimated monthly energy usage. Customers can estimate their monthly energy usage by either submitting their energy consumption information based on past electricity bills, or by using the tables provided in the online sign-up. The process is effective immediately after having completed the sign-up, and customers receive their first bill one month later. They may cancel at any time without having to pay any penalties or fees, though they must pay any charges that Bullfrog incurred up to the point of cancellation.
Position in the energy market
Through many significant partnerships with high-profile individuals, institutions, and companies, and through a grassroots marketing approach, Bullfrog Power is the leading green energy provider in Canada (albeit with little competition). Bullfrog Power targets businesses and individuals who are willing to pay a premium for green energy. These are sourced from renewable, 'clean' energy, which in most cases is wind, solar, or small-scale hydro electricity generation. All energy sources are EcoLogo certified. In each province they guarantee at least 50% of the energy they add to the grid comes from the province. The energy mix for customers in Ontario in 2013 was 18.5% wind power, and 81.5% low-impact hydro, with 85% of it having been generated in province.
Customers are asked to self estimate their consumption, which means that it is possible that they could underestimate their consumption while still claim to being 'bullfrog powered'. Nevertheless, Bullfrog's major selling point is that it provides important support to renewable energy projects. Between 2005 and 2011, the company had bought over 1,560,227 MWh on behalf of its customers. Through its Bullfrog Builds program, the company reinvested $875 000 in community-based renewable energy projects in 2013.
Contact
Toll-free Customer Service: 1.877.360.3464
Available Monday to Friday Eastern time 8:30am - 6:00pm
Mailing Addresses
Toronto Office:
366 Adelaide Street West, Suite 701
Toronto, ON M5V 1R9
(Telephone: 416-360-3464)
Ottawa Office
428 Gilmour Street
Ottawa, ON K2P 0R8
(Telephone: 613-219-4005)
(Email: [email protected])