The B&NES Council endorsed not-for-profit energy supplier Our Power has ceased trading, with 31,000 customers across the country being moved by Ofgem to Utilita for their ongoing supply.
A partnership was launched last year to offer residents locally-sourced energy
Our Power Energy Supply Ltd ceased trading on Friday 25th January 2019.
Last June, a partnership was launched between Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath & West Community Energy and Our Power to offer local residents a choice of green and affordable energy tariffs.
The scheme, which was called Our Power In B&NES, offered locally-generated renewable energy to residents through a collaboration with not-for-profit energy supplier Our Power and local community business Bath & West Community Energy.
B&NES Council endorsed the scheme as it contributed to their objectives of tackling fuel poverty and supporting renewable energy in the district.
Following the closure of Our Power, Ofgem has appointed Utilita Energy Limited to take on supply for their former customers.
The message posted on Our Power’s website
In a statement, Ofgem said: “Utilita is offering Our Power’s customers a competitive tariff and will honour all outstanding credit balances, including money owed to both existing and former customers of Our Power.
“For existing customers, energy supplies will continue as normal as they switch over to Utilita on Thursday 31 January.
“Customers of Our Power will be contacted over the coming days about the changes. If customers wish to switch supplier they should shop around. Customers will not be charged exit fees if they decide to switch to another supplier.”
Philippa Pickford, Ofgem’s director for future retail markets, said: “I am pleased to announce we have appointed Utilita, which will offer Our Power’s customers a competitive tariff for their energy. Their credit balances will be honoured and their energy supply will continue as normal.
“Utilita has also agreed to absorb the costs of taking on these customers and outstanding credit balances, which means the extra costs will not fall on the industry or households.
“Utilita 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.”
“We are pleased that Utilita has given firm commitments to delivering a positive customer experience. We expect them to continue building on this, to ensure a good customer experience for all customers.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council told us: “Bath & North East Somerset Council was disappointed to learn that Our Power has ceased trading.
“Approximately 50 customers in Bath and North East Somerset have been affected. Ofgem has switched all Our Power customers to Utilita.
“Should customers wish to switch to a different supplier they are free to do so without penalty. For further information visit: www.ofgem.gov.uk/our-power.
“The council carried out due diligence when entering into the partnership and did not invest money into Our Power, so this hasn’t led to any direct cost to the council.
“The council is keen to continue to support local green energy initiatives and will be exploring options with its local energy partner Bath & West Community Energy over the coming months.”
The collapse of Our Power is just one of a number of smaller energy companies that have closed over the past few months, including Future Energy and Spark Energy.
Customers with questions should contact Utilita’s customer service team on 03300 583 392.
