Co-op Energy

Co-op Energy says its purpose is to build a fairer, more sustainable energy market. 

Its gas and electricity tariffs are supplied by Octo, which also provides customer service and support.  

As part of Octopus, Co-op Energy supplies 100% renewable electricity and offers a 'Community Power' tariff that sources energy from small-scale community generation projects across the UK.

Customers can earn membership points, which are turned into vouchers to spend in Co-op shops or on other Co-op services.

Use our tool to compare energy prices if you're looking for a new tariff.

Co-op Energy score 

We combine the results of our customer survey with an in-depth assessment of companies’ behind-the-scenes practices and policies to give you a comprehensive view.

Take a look at our table below to see our score breakdown for Co-op Energy:

Here's how Co-op Energy's customer and policy assessments break down:

Find out how Co-op Energy compares with other energy companies – click to see our full results of the best and worst energy companies.

Co-op Energy customer review

Based on customer feedback, Co-op Energy achieved eighth place out of 16 energy companies rated by 9,025 members of the public in the annual Which? energy companies customer satisfaction survey.

It scored 63%, considerably behind its partner firm Octopus, which topped the rankings once again with 74%.

It received decent scores from its customers for most of the aspects of service we rated, with good four-star ratings for its customer service, communications about energy costs, and accuracy of payments. It got average three-star ratings for accessibility, clarity of statements and value for money. 

Which? verdict on Co-op Energy

• Pros: A respectable performance in our customer survey, and it supports community energy generation projects
• Cons: Could do more to meet smart meter installation targets

Our Co-op Energy supplier assessment

In October 2023 we looked at four aspects of suppliers' business practices and procedures: 

• customer service - including how and when you can get in touch, and the quality of self-service help online
• how well they deal with complaints - how many complaints suppliers get and how quickly they resolve them
• supporting customers who need it - including web accessibility, those in vulnerable situations, in financial difficulty, who use prepayment meters,  and those who need materials in languages besides English 
• smart meter targets performance in 2022 (the most recent).

We did this using a combination of the responses to a survey we sent to suppliers and our own assessments.

Co-op Energy received the joint second-highest overall score in this assessment and received the maximum points for how it supports customers who need it. 

It didn't score so well for how it met its smart meter targets though, as it achieved a lower proportion than many other suppliers in 2022. 

Co-op Energy customer service

Co-op Energy customers were satisfied with its customer service, rating it four stars - only bettered by partner company Octopus with five stars. 

Co-op Energy common complaints

In our survey, just 2% of customers said they contacted Co-op Energy to make a complaint in the previous 12 months. This was the joint lowest percentage, alongside Octopus, among all the providers we rated.

This is a big improvement on last year's survey, when Co-op Energy was one of the worst-performing for customer complaints.

Can you join Co-op Energy with a prepayment meter?

Yes, as Co-op Energy customers are supplied by Octopus Energy they can join the supplier with a prepayment meter.

• Smart prepayment meter customers can top up online or via an app, or at PayPoint outlets. Traditional prepayment meter customers can top up at PayPoint or Payzone outlets.
• You can get £10 of emergency credit if you run out, which you pay back next time you top up. 
• Smart meter users and those with traditional prepayment electricity meters can also get 'friendly credit', which means you won't be cut off if you run out of credit between 4pm and 10am Monday to Friday or on weekends and bank holidays.

Does Co-op Energy sell renewable energy?

Co-op Energy, as part of Octopus Energy, sells 100% renewable electricity, some of which it buys directly from generators, both with and without subsidies. Read more about Octopus Energy's renewable energy.

In August 2023, we asked energy companies for information on a range of sustainability criteria. We awarded them points based on their responses as well as information published on their websites, including the annual Fuel Mix Disclosure (FMD). Aspects we scored included how much of the electricity they supply is renewable and whether they generate renewable energy or buy it directly from generators.

Co-op Energy's Community Power tariff reinvests any profits into local renewable sustainability initiatives. The tariff isn't currently on sale but Co-Op Energy asks customers to keep an eye out for updates.

When we compared energy companies on their green credentials in November 2023, Co-op Energy scored 65%. This places it in the top half of our table of the 17 companies we rated. It didn't quite get enough points to become an Eco Provider but still scored well for buying and selling renewable power.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity and how Co-op Energy compares to others.