The Big Six energy companies’ share of the market has fallen from 99 per cent in 2011 to 92 per cent in September this year.
Of the independent suppliers taking a greater stake in the market First Utility is the largest dual-fuel supplier, with 3.1 per cent of the market.
Cornwall Energy’s data also shows First Utility to be the fastest growing independent supplier, having gained 0.5 per cent of the market, or 125,000 customers, in the last three months alone.
First Utility said the average saving for a typical usage household moving to First utility is £213, and that its rapid market growth is due to a “growing public awareness of the value and service offered by independent suppliers”.
Cornwall Energy said the ten per cent market share is a “massive landmark” that means independent suppliers are now a significant and credible threat to the market dominance by the Big Six.
Secretary of state for energy and climate change, Ed Davey said: “We’ve worked hard to increase competition and nearly trebled the number of independents since 2010 and switching times will halve by the end of this year. But I want to go further and see them have a 30% market share by the end of the decade.
“We’ll continue to work with independent suppliers to ensure they can compete on a level playing field with the big six.”