Energy Suppliers news, page 11
- March 2023
Smart Pay Energy withdrew from the SEG during Year 3
Ofgem's SEG annual report records that Smart Pay Energy left the scheme part way through Year 3 against policy, and will be added to the Supplier Performance Report.
The Times reveals forced prepayment installations by British Gas subcontractor
The Times reported that a British Gas subcontractor used brutal methods to force-fit prepayment meters in vulnerable customers' homes, prompting suppliers to halt the practice.
- February 2023
Call for evidence on prepayment rules launched
Ofgem opened a call for evidence on prepayment meter rules on 21 February 2023, the first step in a process that ended with new licence conditions taking effect on 8 November 2023.
Citizens Advice responds to Ofgem's outline of next steps on forced prepayment meter installations
Citizens Advice has welcomed Ofgem repeating its call for suppliers to check whether customers should be moved off prepayment meters, warning that the regulator and government must act if progress stalls.
Ofgem outlines next steps on forced prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has set out the terms of its British Gas investigation and the scope of a market-wide prepayment meter review, and asked suppliers to reverse incorrect installations during the current pause.
ScottishPower launched SMART GEN and SMART GEN + tariffs
ScottishPower launched SMART GEN and SMART GEN + export tariffs on 16 February 2023, with Ofgem later recording SMART GEN as the highest unbundled Smart Export Guarantee rate of SEG Year 3.
Which? makes supplier practices assessment public and counts it in overall scores
Which? has published its behind-the-scenes assessment of energy supplier practices for the first time and folded the results into each company's overall score for 2023.
E.On rated severe weaknesses and issued Provisional Order
Ofgem has rated E.On as having severe weaknesses in customer service and issued a Provisional Order requiring it to cut call wait times and abandoned call rates and report weekly.
Ofgem announces industry-wide investigation into prepayment meter installations
Ofgem has opened an industry-wide investigation into the rapid growth in prepayment meter installations and warned suppliers that forced installations are unacceptable, following reports of debt agents entering homes.
Ofgem completes Market Compliance Review of suppliers' customer service and complaints handling
Ofgem has rated seventeen energy suppliers on customer service and complaints handling, placing none in its top category and issuing a Provisional Order to E.On over severe weaknesses.
British Gas launches heat pump installation price offer
British Gas has said it will cap the starting price of heat pump installation at £2,999, a figure that excludes the heat pump itself and will not apply to every home.
Energy firms agree voluntary pause on forced PPM installations
Energy suppliers agreed a voluntary pause on forced prepayment meter installations in early 2023, after reporting on British Gas, but campaigners said the commitment did not go far enough.
Ofgem agrees moratorium on involuntary PPM installations
Ofgem agreed a moratorium with suppliers in February 2023 pausing involuntary prepayment meter installations and remote smart meter mode switches, after evidence that existing rules may not have been followed.
Ofgem issues Provisional Order banning British Gas from forced PPM installations
Ofgem has issued a Provisional Order temporarily banning British Gas from forced prepayment meter installations and remote mode switches, and opened an urgent investigation into the supplier.
Ofgem publishes ECO3 Final Determination Report
Ofgem's final report on the Energy Company Obligation 3 confirms suppliers exceeded the scheme's £8.25bn bill-saving target, while Co-operative Energy met only 36.4% of its own obligation.
Times investigation exposes forced prepayment meter practices of major suppliers including British Gas
An undercover Times investigation published on 1 February 2023 exposed forced prepayment meter practices at major suppliers including British Gas, triggering a voluntary industry pause and an ongoing Ofgem investigation.
- January 2023
Ofgem prepayment meter compliance review concluded
Ofgem has concluded its prepayment meter compliance review, with compensation due to customers of eight suppliers who had meters wrongly installed between 1 January 2022 and 31 January 2023.
Ofgem to review supplier decisions to move customers to prepayment
Ofgem will review whether energy suppliers took enough care before moving customers onto prepayment meters, as the government demands firms stop forced switches.
Citizens Advice responds to the BEIS ECO+ consultation
Citizens Advice has told the government its ECO+ energy efficiency scheme, with a £1bn budget over three years and a 410,000 household target, could be far more ambitious.
Bulb special administration adviser costs reach £49.9 million
Special administration costs for Bulb, including its administrators, their legal advisers and Lazard, reached £49.9 million by the end of January 2023 and are expected to reach around £60 million.
E.ON Next and Shell Energy join the Vulnerability Commitment
E.ON Next and Shell Energy joined the Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment at the start of 2023, taking it to 13 signatories covering more than 90% of the UK domestic retail market.
Ofgem introduced stringent new rules for prepayment meter installations
Ofgem brought in stringent new rules for prepayment meter installation in 2023, after suppliers failed to follow the rules on forced installation, a later government review confirms.
Ofgem opens investigation into British Gas over PPM practices
Ofgem has opened an investigation into British Gas and a Market Compliance Review into prepayment meter practices, alongside a consultation on strengthening protections for involuntary prepayment meter installations.
So Energy and Hometree partnership begins with Home Cover launch
So Energy and Hometree Finance launched a solar payment plan letting homeowners in England and Wales spread installation costs from £75 a month over five to twenty-five years.
- December 2022
Bulb sale process concluded
The sale of Bulb Energy concluded on 20 December 2022 after a 10-month process, with its 1.5 million customers transferred to HiveCo, owned by the Octopus Energy Group.
Octopus completes Bulb transaction
Octopus Energy completed its purchase of Bulb's customers, business assets and liabilities, including customer credit balances, on 20 December 2022, shortly after the price cap observation window opened.
Octopus purchases Bulb for £113 million
Octopus Energy paid the government £113 million for Bulb in December 2022, under a sale that left taxpayers funding wholesale costs and facing a shortfall.
Energy UK publishes briefing on supplier support for customers as bills rise
Energy UK has published a briefing setting out the support energy suppliers give customers, including around £54 million of discretionary help on top of more than £1 billion in mandatory schemes each year.
British Gas makes £12 million donation to Energy Support Fund
British Gas has donated £12 million to its Energy Support Fund, double its previous contribution and more than a tenth of first half pre-tax profits, as suppliers widen help with bills.
Directions No. 1 issued for Northern Ireland energy suppliers
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero issued Directions No. 1 under the Energy Prices Act 2022, requiring Northern Ireland domestic suppliers to seek agreement before changing tariffs on any day other than the first of a quarter.