Ovo launches app for prepayment customers

Ovo Energy has launched a smart pay-as-you-go energy platform and app for its prepayment customers.

The company says its Smart PAYG+ platform allows “under-served and over-charged” pay-as-you-go customers to top up and monitor their energy usage anywhere via an app, text, online or at a local Paypoint outlet.

The plaform also includes: a credit countdown that updates every 24 hours; a smart meter to help customers monitor their energy usage and save money; and an online-only discount.

Ovo Smart PAYG managing director Justin Cockerill said: “From being forced to make top-up trips at the most inconvenient times, to household emergencies due to energy suddenly running out, pre-payment energy customers have endured a rough ride from the industry.”

“We’re putting the power into the customers’ hands and giving them unprecedented control and convenience over the cheapest possible energy supply.”

Chairman of the energy efficiency charity National Energy Action, Derek Lickorish, said: “We welcome innovation like this that helps customers, especially those on prepayment meters, to realise the benefits of smart meters and bring an end to poor service.

“For too long these customers have been forgotten, well now it’s time to forget the out-dated technology and give these, often vulnerable, customers the service and experience they deserve.”

In July last year, Ovo was chastised by Ofgem for taking payment at the start of the month before energy has been supplied, which the regulator said poses a financial risk to consumers. However, the company hit back, saying the rules are not in the best interests of customers and represent “poor regulation”.

Earlier this year, Ovo signed a two-year contract with energy efficiency solutions company, Anesco, to deliver the government’s Energy Companies Obligation (Eco) to residential properties most in need of energy efficiency upgrades.