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Octopus Energy has completed the migration of all 1.3 million customers from Shell.
The company acquired Shell’s domestic energy supply businesses in the UK and Germany last December and as a result now serves 6.6 million customers in the UK.
It also acquired 500,000 broadband customers as part of the deal.
Meanwhile all 500 of Shell’s customer-facing employees were offered new roles at Octopus, with the majority based at the supplier’s new Coventry office.
The first Shell customer was transferred onto Octopus’ systems just before Christmas to test the process, with the actual migration starting on 30 January.
Additionally, Octopus has offered more than 6,000 vulnerable former Shell customers free electric blankets to help them keep warm and reduce bills.
Commenting on the announcement Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson said: “We are thrilled to have completed the transfer of all Shell Energy customers to Octopus Energy, achieving this milestone in record time.
“Thanks to the effectiveness of Kraken and Octopus’ promise of brilliant customer service, we have seamlessly transitioned customers to our platform while ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.”
Shell announced that it was considering the future of its UK domestic retail business in January 2023, five years after entering the market with the purchase of First Utility.
It has made significant losses in recent years, with its latest accounts showing it lost a total of more than £461 million across 2021 and 2022.
When it announced it had agreed to buy First Utility in December 2017, Shell said its motivation for the deal was expanding its energy supply business from commercial and industrial customers into the residential sector, which would allow it to bring its products and services to more customers.
In 2019 the company rebranded First Utility as Shell Energy Retail.
It took on more than half a million customers following the wave of supplier failures that came at the onset of the energy crisis in late 2021.
Elsewhere, Octopus has also announced the launch of a referral scheme for low carbon technologies.
Under the scheme customers who get a heat pump or solar installation from Octopus can refer friends and family for their own installation. Those referring will pocket £100, while those having the tech installed will get a £100 discount on the fitting.
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