Ofgem appoints EDF to take on customers of Green Network Energy, and British Gas Evolve to take on customers of Simplicity Energy
Press release
Ofgem has appointed EDF to take on supplying Green Network Energy’s approximately 360,000 domestic customers and a small number of non-domestic customers. It has appointed British Gas Evolve, a trading name of British Gas Trading Ltd, to take on supplying Simplicity Energy's approximately 50,000 domestic customers. This follows a competitive process run by Ofgem to get the best deal possible for customers.
EDF and British Gas Evolve are offering customers a competitive tariff. Outstanding credit balances, including money owed to both existing and former domestic customers of Green Network Energy and Simplicity, will also be honoured. EDF will absorb the costs of honouring customers' credit balances and the migration of customers. They will pay the outstanding £140 Warm Home Discount rebates to Green Network Energy's 12,000 eligible customers and will make an additional contribution towards the costs of wider environmental and social obligations. British Gas Evolve will also absorb a significant portion of the costs of honouring customers’ credit balances and the migration of customers.
For existing customers of both failed suppliers, energy supplies will continue as normal as they switch over to EDF and British Gas Evolve on Sunday 31 January.
Customers of Green Network Energy and Simplicity Energy will be contacted over the coming days about the changes. If customers wish to switch supplier they can shop around, but are advised to wait until the transfer has been completed. Customers will not be charged exit fees if they decide to switch to another supplier.
Customers that have a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) tariff with Green Network Energy are responsible for seeking a new SEG tariff for their exported electricity from another SEG Licensee. So they can continue to receive payments, they are advised to act promptly as a new SEG Licensee is only obliged to make payments for exported electricity from the start of any new SEG contract.*
Philippa Pickford, Ofgem’s director of retail, said:
“I am pleased to announce we have appointed EDF for the customers of Green Network Energy, and British Gas Evolve for customers of Simplicity Energy. Their energy supply will continue as normal, and domestic customer credit balances will be honoured.
“Both new suppliers will be in contact with customers over the coming days with further information. Once the transfer has been completed, customers can shop around for a better deal if they wish to.”
Green Network Energy customers can email EDF on customer_correspondence@EDFEnergy.com or call 0333 009 6993 - the call centre will be open at 8am Monday 1 February. In an emergency situation prior to this please use the emergency contacts listed on the EDF website.
Simplicity customers can email British Gas Evolve on service@britishgasevolve.co.uk or call 0330 808 3880 - the call centre will be open at 9am Monday 1 February.
Both new suppliers will be in touch with customers with direct debits to explain how to set up their account. Customers are advised not to cancel their direct debits as their new suppliers will aim to transfer these.
More information for Green Network Energy customers and Simplicity Energy customers can be found on the Ofgem website.
*This press release was amended on February 19 to include this separate advice for SEG customers
Notes to editors
- Green Network Energy and Simplicity Energy’s customers will be supplied by EDF and British Gas Evolve as of Sunday 31 January 2021. Accounts will be fully set up over the coming weeks. EDF and British Gas Evolve will be in touch with customers in the coming days.
- Any questions Green Network Energy customers have should be directed to EDF’s website or email customer_correspondence@EDFEnergy.com. Customers can phone 0333 009 6993 – the call centre will be open at 8am Monday 1 February.
- Any questions Simplicity Energy customers should email service@britishgasevolve.co.uk. Customers can call 0330 808 3880 – the call centre will be open at 9am Monday 1 February.
- Both new suppliers will honour the credit balances of current and former domestic customers of the failed supplier.
- Current and former customers who owe money, or are in debit to Green Network Energy and Simplicity Energy should wait to hear from EDF/British Gas Evolve or Green Network Energy’s / Simplicity Energy’s administrators.
- Both new suppliers will be in touch with customers with direct debits to explain how to set up their account.
- Customers can find support and advice on the Ofgem website. Alternatively, if they need additional support, they can call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or email them via webform, or get in touch through Ofgem’s facebook or twitter feed @ofgem
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