The Co-operative Energy

The Co-operative Energy
Business of an Industrial and Provident Society, registered under the Companies Acts
Industry Public Utility
Products Gas and electricity supply
Parent The Midcounties Co-operative

Co-operative Energy Limited is a British energy supply company based in Warwick that began trading in 2010. It is an alternative to the Big Six energy firms and, given that its parent is Midcounties Co-operative, is the only co-operative supplier in the market.[1] Although initially highly rated for customer service, in 2015 it became one of the most complained about utility companies according to the Energy Services Ombudsman.[2]

Any member of the Midcounties Co-operative can share in the profits from The Co-operative Energy. Historically, the business had a reputation for prioritising the use of renewable energy, and in 2014 68% of their electricity was sourced from renewable sources; however more recent data from 2015 show that the portion of renewable energy used has significantly declined to 4.6% (around one-fourth the national average within the fuel mix).[3]

Controversies

A failed upgrade to its online customer service and billing system in 2015 resulted in a large number of customer service problems, with repeated complaints about login problems, delays switching, poor telephone response times and promised remedial actions not being taken.[4][5][6] As a result, customer satisfaction fell sharply, with 7% rating it poor in December 2014 but this rising to 56% in May 2015.[7] In the first quarter of 2015 it was the fourth most complained about utility company, measured in complaints per thousand customers.[8] In the second quarter of 2015 it moved up to being the second most complained about utility company.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ www.electricityinfo.org
  2. 1 2 "Key figures about Ombudsman Services". ombudsman-services.org. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "Our energy sources". cooperativeenergy.coop. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Co-op Energy faces customer backlash following bungled system upgrade". MoneySavingExpert.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "MSE News: Co-op faces customer backlash following bungled system upgrade - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums". moneysavingexpert.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "Billing bungles: is Co-op Energy the new npower?". Telegraph.co.uk. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  7. ↑ "Co-op hit by customer service backlash in MSE energy poll". MoneySavingExpert.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Ofgem reveals most complained about energy companies-and small isn’t necessarily best". bitterwallet.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.

External links

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