Ofgem appoints Co-operative Energy to take on GB Energy Supply’s customers

Press release
Publication date
Industry sector
Supply and Retail Market

Ofgem has chosen Co-operative Energy to take on supplying GB Energy Supply’s customers. The company will honour all outstanding credit balances for both current customers, and for past customers of GB Energy Supply who are still owed money. For current customers any credit on their account will be used to offset future energy use.

The appointment of Co-Operative Energy follows a competitive process run by Ofgem to get the best deal possible for GB Energy Supply’s customers. 

Co-operative Energy is offering GB Energy Supply’s customers the same price as they were paying before, both for customers on fixed deals and on standard variable tariffs. If customers wish to change their tariff, they should ask Co-operative Energy to switch to another deal, or shop around. No exit fees will be charged.

The cost of protecting customers’ balances will be partly met by Co-operative Energy and the rest will be covered by the safety net put in place by Ofgem, which is funded by a levy spread across all energy suppliers. 

Customers of GB Energy Supply will be contacted by Co-operative Energy over the coming days with more information about their tariff and current credit balance.

Co-operative Energy will be supporting GB Energy Supply’s existing customer contact centre. This means that customers can use the same customer contact details as they used with GB Energy Supply.

Rachel Fletcher, Ofgem’s Senior Partner for Consumers and Competition, said: “We are very pleased to have been able to secure a deal with Co-operative Energy, where GB Energy Supply customers will be paying the same price for their energy as they were before. Their credit balances will also be honoured.

“Co-operative Energy will be supporting GB Energy Supply’s customer contact centre, making sure that customers have a smooth transition to their new supplier.

“Our advice for customers of GB Energy Supply is to wait until Co-operative Energy contacts you. They will give you more information about the tariff you are on, and about your credit balance.

“Customers with questions should contact the GB Energy Supply customer contact team as normal should they have an enquiry.”

Information for consumers

  • Co-operative Energy will aim to contact GB Energy Supply’s customers within the coming weeks.
  • GB Energy Supply customers should contact the GB Energy Supply customer contact team as normal should they have an enquiry. They can be reached on 0800 644 4451.
  • Ofgem’s safety net allows the appointed supplier to recover the cost of credit balances via a levy across all energy suppliers. We do not think it is likely that suppliers would pass on these costs to customers. While precise figures are not available in this case, if suppliers passed on the cost of credit balances we estimate it would cost less than £1 a customer.
  • Co-operative Energy is still developing a process for returning credit balances for those customers who have moved away from GB Energy Supply. 

Notes to editors

  1. More advice and support contact details for consumers is available at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/gb-energy-supply

About Ofgem

Ofgem is the independent energy regulator for Great Britain. Its priority is to make a positive difference for consumers by promoting competition in the energy markets and regulating networks.

For facts, figures and information about Ofgem’s work, see Energy facts and figures or visit the Ofgem Data Portal. 

Follow us on Twitter @ofgem and LinkedIn

Further information for media

For further information, contact:

Ofgem’s media team on 0207 901 7460 / 7178 or 07766 511470

Co-Operative Energy’s media team on 0161 235 0300 or coopenergy@citypress.co.uk