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Major update for 1.3million Shell Energy customers after huge takeover – check if you’re affected
Plus, we've explained if you need to take action
OCTOPUS Energy has issued a major update for Shell Energy customers whose accounts are due to switch to the supplier.
The energy supplier, which is part of the "Big Six", has revealed exactly when tens of thousands more Shell Energy customers will have their accounts moved over.
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The supplier says that 750,000 ex-Shell Energy customers have already had their accounts switched.
The migration process began before Christmas, but a spokesperson has told The Sun that all 550,000 remaining customers will be moved to the parent brand by the end of April.
Until now, Octopus Energy hadn't given a timescale for when it expects all Shell Energy customers to switch over.
Once this process is complete, the Shell Energy domestic energy brand will cease to exist, and all customers will have their gas and electricity managed directly by the Octopus brand instead.
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The transfers won't interrupt a customer's supply, bills or meters.
Remaining Shell Energy customers will be told that their account is being moved via letter, email or on one of their upcoming bills.
The update will include all the important details about what to expect from the move.
You might've received this already. But if you haven't, you don't need to do anything or contact Octopus Energy.
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It comes just months after Shell agreed to sell its domestic energy and broadband arm to the energy firm last September.
At the time, Shell Energy provided domestic gas, power, and broadband services to approximately two million customers.
How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills
The suppliers completed the sale in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Octopus Energy said there will be a smooth transition over to the firm and no disruption to a customer's energy supply.
However, industry experts expected Octopus Energy to divest their telecoms base to another telecom provider at the time of Shell Energy's sale.
And on February 7, Octopus Energy sold Shell Energy's broadband arm to TalkTalk.
Around 480,000 Shell broadband customers will switch to TalkTalk in the coming months.
The acquisition of Shell Energy's customer base has now catapulted Octopus Energy to become the UK's second-largest energy supplier with 6.8 million customers.
The last major supplier to place its domestic arm up for sale was SSE back in 2019.
SSE Energy Services, which provided gas and electricity to 3.5million households, was acquired by Ovo Energy in January 2020.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Octopus Energy said in October 2022 that it would take on all 1.5million Bulb customers after the troubled energy supplier fell into administration back in November 2021.
At its peak, Bulb was the country's seventh largest energy firm and provided gas and electricity tariffs to 1.7million households.
But it was the biggest provider to go under after several other smaller firms failed to stay afloat.
Unlike, the smaller suppliers which went bust with hundreds of thousands of customers, Bulb had over one million.
This meant that Ofgem couldn't simply get another supplier to take on all its customers, as it has done with the 28 other firms that collapsed in 2021.
Instead, Bulb was placed into special administration - which meant that it was allowed to operate as normal and customers don't need to do anything.
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In this format, the company was kept afloat thanks to the input of £4billion worth of taxpayer cash.
But in October 2022, Octopus announced a deal with the government to buy Bulb and take on its 1.5 million customers, backed by the Government.
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