‘Big Six’ shunned by energy customers

CONSUMERS ARE increasingly switching to small and medium sized energy providers and shunning the “Big Six”, according to new figures.

One in five customers switched their energy provider in 2018 – an increase of six per cent on the previous year.

Data from industry association Energy UK found that 5.8 million changed their supplier last year.

It continues a trend of year-onyear increases in energy switching, Energy UK said, with around 30 per cent – or 1.7 million customers – moving to a small or mid-tier supplier.

Recent research by consumer watchdog Which? found that five small energy suppliers topped the rankings for customer satisfaction.

Octopus Energy came top with a satisfaction score of 80 per cent, closely followed by Robin Hood Energy and So Energy in joint second place with 78 per cent and Ebico and Tonik Energy in joint fourth position on 76 per cent. But bucking the trend was small supplier Solarplicity – it was the worst energy firm according to its customers, with an overall score of just 44 per cent.

Which? also noted that three small firms – Spark Energy, Extra Energy and Economy Energy – have ceased trading since the survey was carried out, although Spark still operates as a brand name after being taken over by Ovo. Their results aren’t included but all performed poorly, Which? said.

The Big Six – British Gas, EDF Energy, Eon, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE – were relegated to the bottom third of the rankings. None received an overall customer score higher than 58 per cent.

Alex Neill, Which? managing director of Home Products and Services, said: “Our survey shows the importance of value for money and good customer service.”