Comparing the Big Six Energy Companies

This guest post has been contributed by the energy experts at City Plumbing Supplies. City Plumbing provide boilers and home energy appliances that reduce energy consumption and ensure you make the most of every watt. They have smart room thermostats available along with a range of combi boilers, radiators and more to keep your home running smoothly and comfortably for less. Plumbing solutions for the modern energy efficient home. 

What are the “Big Six”
The Big Six are the six energy suppliers who supply residential and business electricity and gas to the largest number of customers and geographical areas in the UK. These are the big companies whose names are easy to recognise and after the energy sector in the UK was privatised in 1990 there has been little competition from other established companies or new ones to the market.

Who Exactly Are the Big Six
The Big Six companies in no particular order are British Gas, E.ON UK, EDF Energy, N Power, SSE and Scottish Power.

British Gas
Of the six companies who make up the Big Six British Gas, a Centrica subsidiary, is the largest provider who supplies gas and electricity in the UK serving over 20 million consumers. Scottish Gas in Scotland and Direct Energy in North America are both also run under the Centrica umbrella. Centrica is a UK based company whose headquarters may be found in Windsor.

Eon
Supplying over 5.3 million businesses and homes across the United Kingdom, E.ON are a well-known brand. They previously traded under the name Powergen until it was bought out and taken over by the German E.ON AG and rebranded in 2002. E.ON AG boasts the largest electricity service in the world, serving over 26 million customers.

EDF Energy
EDF produces the largest amount of electricity for its customers in the UK. It is owned by the French company EDF SA (a state owned company) and supplies a significant 20 million customers in the UK.

Npower
Supplying gas and electricity to over six and a half million business and residential customers in the UK, as well as supplying the gas and electricity for those who choose to be customers of the Utility Warehouse Discount Club, Npower has a significant presence in the UK.

SSE
Once known as Scottish and Southern the Scottish-registered SSE gas and electricity supplier now trades under different names in different regions. If you get your business energy or residential supply from SSE Southern Electric, SSE SWALEC, SSE Scottish Hydro or SEE you are being supplied by the same company.

Scottish Power
When audited in 2012 Scottish Power was the smallest of the energy companies supplying the UK, covering just over 5.2 million customers, not too far behind Npower. This still represents a significant portion of business and residential customers, earning Scottish Power a place in the Big Six.
Comparing the Big Six
No matter which energy company you choose, make sure your home appliances, radiators, boiler and thermostats work efficiently to save you money on your energy bills.