Gas retail

Ovo Energy allowed to recoup partial costs of taking on Brilliant Energy customers

Keeping Us Connected: EDF’s telephony team provides vital support

Smart meter installations see 95% drop during lockdown

April switching lowest since 2016

EDF: Industry needs to win back customer confidence in smart meter rollout

Centrica and WPD set out bold EV plans

Carl Bayliss, vice president of Centrica Innovations, talks to Utility Week about the company’s joint strategy with Lotus to “redefine the customer relationship with cars”. Meanwhile, Western Power Distribution has updated its Electric Vehicle strategy, including new charging solutions for domestic customers and easier connection processes for charge point operators.

On the Move: Kaluza reshapes top team

Kaluza, Ovo Group's technology platform, has announced three new senior team members with decades of experience between them. Challenger brand Together Energy has also announced a new board member, as has Co-op Midcounties. Utility Week takes a look at some of the industry's key appointments.

Ofgem suspends supplier charges due to coronavirus

Robin Hood Energy appoints advisors

Council-backed energy supplier Robin Hood Energy has appointed Deloitte to advise the company as part of a strategic review, Utility Week can reveal. The supplier, owned by Nottingham City Council, is the second such retailer to announce it has appointed advisors this week, with Bristol Energy bringing in Ernst and Young.

Ofgem warns of ‘bill shock’ on the horizon

Pure Planet: Perfect time for ‘dash to digital’

As an app-based supplier, Pure Planet is already well-versed in solving customer issues without the need for call centres. The retailer's three co-founders talk to Utility Week about how coronavirus is forcing other suppliers to follow their digital lead. They also share their thoughts on the need for flexibility from networks and how methods of expanding help to vulnerable customers are already staring the industry in the face.

Eon and Npower business arms to merge

Eon UK is combining its business retail arm with Npower Business Solutions as part of the merger between the two energy giants. The move will create one of the UK’s largest business energy retailers, with both brands having around 57,000 I and C customers combined.

Suppliers warned of enforcement action over trade sales

Ofgem has written to suppliers outlining what it expects of them when they conduct trade sales, including the way they communicate with the regulator and customers. It has warned that it will consider enforcement action if its guidance is not followed.

Bristol Energy appoints advisors

Australian investment values Octopus Energy at £1bn

Octopus has been valued at £1 billion after a £300 million investment from Australian power supplier Origin Energy. Greg Jackson, Octopus' chief executive, tells Utility Week more about plans for the company to invest in a future energy research centre which will be used to conduct modelling with data collected from Octopus’ real-world tariffs and be made available for governments wishing to invest in green technologies.