Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Four more energy suppliers go bust due to gas price surge

Omni Energy, MA Energy, Zebra Power and Ampoweruk all ceased trading

Ben Chapman
Tuesday 02 November 2021 17:29 EDT
Comments
Four energy suppliers have gone bust as the sector continues to be hammered by soaring gas prices (Yui Mok/PA)
Four energy suppliers have gone bust as the sector continues to be hammered by soaring gas prices (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Four more energy suppliers have gone bust as a result of soaring gas prices, the industry's regulator has announced.

Ofgem said on Tuesday that Omni Energy, MA Energy, Zebra Power and Ampoweruk had all ceased trading, meaning a new supplier will be sought for around 23,700 customers.

The latest collapses came a day after Bluegreen Energy Services, which had 5,900 customers, went out of business on Monday.

Over the last two months, 18 companies have gone bust after a surge in global gas prices has caused losses for suppliers who are unable to pass on all of the costs to customers.

In a statement, Ofgem sought to reassure customers that their credit balances will be protected and transferred to a new supplier.

The regulator said it will choose a new supplier for affected customers, which will then contact them, and assured that energy supply and funds paid into accounts will be protected.

Zebra Power supplies about 14,800 domestic customers while Omni Energy supplies about 6,000 pre-payment domestic customers, MA Energy supplies about 300 business customers and Ampoweruk supplies about 600 domestic customers and 2,000 businesses.

Neil Lawrence, director of retail at Ofgem, said: "We know this is a worrying time for many people and news of a supplier going out of business can be unsettling.

"I want to reassure affected customers that they do not need to worry: under our safety net we'll make sure your energy supplies continue.

"If you have credit on your account the funds you have paid in are protected and you will not lose the money that is owed to you.

"Ofgem will choose a new supplier for you and while we are doing this our advice is to wait until we appoint a new supplier and do not switch in the meantime.

"You can rely on your energy supply as normal. We will update you when we have chosen a new supplier, who will then get in touch about your tariff."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in