Complaints about supplier Spark Energy reached a “record-high” in October, the Energy Ombudsman has revealed following news the supplier has ceased trading.
In total the Ombudsman opened investigations into more than 800 customer complaints about Spark Energy over the past 12 months, with October seeing the record-high of 105 complaints.
David Pilling, head of policy at the Energy Ombudsman, said: “If you’re a consumer who has a complaint about Spark Energy open with us, please be advised that we will be in touch in due course with information on next steps.”
Since the news about Spark Energy was announced industry voices have expressed their thoughts on the latest energy company to cease trading.
Alex Neill, Which? managing director of home products and services, said: “This is one of the biggest supplier failures we have seen and it shows why measures to ensure energy firms are fit to enter the market and provide good levels of customer service are a much-needed step in the right direction.
“Spark Energy customers will be concerned following this news, but they should be aware their energy supply will continue as normal. We would encourage affected customers to take a meter reading as soon as they can, and when your new energy supplier contacts you, ask for the cheapest deal available.”
Last week it was announced that Ofgem was investigating both Spark Energy and Economy Energy over a failure to meet their Renewables Obligation (RO) payments.
Doug Stewart, chief executive of Green Energy UK, said “errant suppliers” had been playing “fast and loose” with energy customers.
Stewart said: “We have been warning of the consequences of unsustainable business models and rock bottom prices for over three years.
“And what is more, compliant suppliers will have to pay for the ROC shortfall the feed-in tariff shortfall and the customer deposits.
“It’s time we stopped errant suppliers from people playing fast and loose with customer money and passing on their costs to the rest of the industry.
“Ofgem has finally decided to do something about stress testing but the terms ‘stable door’ and ‘horse has bolted’ spring to mind.”
Spark Energy’s 290,000 customers will be found a supplier of last resort (SoLR) which is due to be announced later today (26 November).
Following the supplier’s demise, which was announced on Friday (23 November), it has since been announced that Ovo Energy has agreed a conditional agreement to acquire the operating company of Spark Energy – Spark.