Energy UK : switching hits record high in 2017

10 January 2018.

A record 5.5 million customers switched electricity supplier in 2017, according to the latest Energy UK figures.

In total, 5,543,472 customers switched to a better deal during the year - the highest number Energy UK has recorded. It represents a 15 per cent increase on 2016's figure (4,822,885) and 2.3 million more than in 2014 (3,196,243).

In December alone over 400,000 customers switched, a figure reached ten months out of twelve during the year. Millions of customers will have additionally switched to a better deal with their current supplier.

There are nearly 60 energy companies to choose from and competition has intensified with nearly three in ten of customers switching (28 per cent) gained by small and mid-tier providers.

Recent research from the Energy Switch Guarantee - a voluntary industry initiative whereby suppliers commit to ensuring customer switches are simple, speedy and safe - shows 90 per cent of customers are happy with the switching progress.

Lawrence Slade, chief executive of Energy UK said:

'It is tremendous to see switching surpassing all expectations during 2017. Every year more and more customers are seeking out a better deal and potentially saving themselves hundreds of pounds a year. With nearly 60 suppliers to choose from, the market is more competitive than ever before and the Energy Switch Guarantee provides consumers with extra reassurance that switching supplier will be simple, speedy and safe.'

'I would encourage all customers to spend a few minutes checking the deal they are on. You could save a lot of money on your current energy bill - whether it be with a new supplier or your existing provider.'

ENDS

Notes to editors

• To see the latest monthly switching stats, please visit Energy UK's website.
• Over 90 per cent of the market are signatories of the Guarantee. For more information about the Guarantee: www.energyswitchguarantee.com
• The switching data is supplied by Electralink who provides a secure service to transfer data between the electricity market participants. The company operates the Data Transfer Network (DTN) which underpins customer switching, meter interoperability and other business processes critical to a competitive electricity market.
• The data referenced in these reports is since our collection of data only and is for electricity only. These figures include both domestic & non-domestic customers.
• These figures do not include internal electricity switching, statistics on this from the larger suppliers and on Standard Variable Tariffs can be viewed on the Ofgem website.