Electricity retail

Npower losses balloon as customers continue to depart

Npower has reported a sharp decline in earnings during 2019 after customers continued to leave the supplier in droves. Meanwhile, Eon has announced plans to create a new energy company called Eonnext that will combine the residential and SME customers of both companies.

Navigating compliance complexity in renewables

The focus on renewable energy is of paramount importance to the UK government; however, this has led to significant regulatory complexity and risk for energy players operating in the UK, explains Malcolm Gray.

Government agrees emergency measures with energy retailers

Gnergy ceases trading

Challenger energy supplier Gnergy has become the first supplier of 2020 to exit the market. Around 9,000 customers will now enter the supplier of last resort process.

BEIS expected to release coronavirus advice to energy suppliers

Guidance outlining how energy suppliers should deal with customers during the coronavirus pandemic is to be published by the government imminently, Utility Week understands. The paper is expected to contain information from Citizens Advice as to what will be expected while the virus continues to affect both business and consumers.

Prepayment customers risk being ‘forced to go out whilst unwell’

Centrica announces interim CEO in board shake-up

Centrica has revealed that group chief financial officer Chris O’Shea is to take on the role of interim chief executive with immediate effect. The parent company of British Gas also announced a replacement for Charles Berry, who is to step down as chairman on medical advice.

Coronavirus: Regulator expects ‘proportionate’ debt response from suppliers

As the government issues stark advice on limiting movement and multiple industries warn they will struggle to survive, utilities have been reminded of their responsibilities to the most vulnerable in society. Ofgem has urged suppliers to be flexible over debt recovery and late payments, while Citizens Advice has said the sector needs to be prepared for a sharp increase in those struggling to pay their bills.

Ofgem looks at RO payments made after final deadline

Macquarie signs first smart meter deal with challenger

Macquarie’s Specialised and Asset Finance business has signed a deal with So Energy to install second-generation (SMETS2) smart meter devices. It is the first such deal Macquarie has signed with a challenger energy supplier and the first time it is offering installation and management of meters, through its partnership with Morrison Data Services.

Gulf-owners Bayford acquires challenger brand

The Bayford Group, an investment company which owns Gulf Gas and Power, has acquired challenger brand E (Gas and Electricity), which has more than 300,000 customers and employs around 150 people.

Weekend press round-up: Utilities brace for coronavirus impact

As some workers are kept home by the coronavirus pandemic, EDF is considering offering those affected a reprieve from payments, while the energy industry grapples with the effects on electricity demand. Meanwhile, planning applications for renewable energy projects hit a new high – all in the latest round-up of the weekend’s papers.

Vattenfall made decision to ‘go big or go home’

Vattenfall ultimately did not gain the scale required to make its venture into the UK energy retail market worthwhile, industry experts have told Utility Week. The state-owned Swedish renewables giant sold more than 190,000 customers to EDF this week.

Vulnerable customers ‘could suffer unintended consequences of price cap’

The introduction of the price cap is making it unsustainable for the major energy suppliers to serve their large numbers of vulnerable customers and remain profitable, it has been claimed. Chris Thewlis, chief operating officer of Npower, said a reduction in service levels was inevitable due to cost pressures as a direct result of the price cap.

Together Energy bans face to face sales due to coronavirus

Scottish challenger energy brand Together Energy has suspended its door to door sales teams with immediate effect and is encouraging other retailers to do the same. The supplier says it hopes the suspension will be short-term.