Small energy companies A-Z

There are currently around 20 firms you can buy your gas and electricity from in England, Scotland and Wales. 

That’s many more than in the 1990s when the market was privatised, although far fewer than in 2021 when many small suppliers went bust at the beginning of the energy crisis.

A handful of big suppliers - British Gas, EDF Energy, Eon Next, Octopus Energy, Ovo and Scottish Power - dominate the market. 

But there are smaller energy companies trying to set themselves apart. Some are too small to be included so we've rounded them up here to give you the full picture.

If you live in Northern Ireland, learn more about the Northern Ireland energy market.

For our annual energy supplier customer ratings, see the best and worst energy companies. 

Should I switch to a small energy company?

Just because an energy firm is big and established doesn't mean it's the best for you. Some of the largest and oldest companies - British Gas, EDF Energy, Eon Next and Scottish Power - were in the lower half of the table in our latest rankings. 

Ovo Energy is also a giant, since its acquisition of SSE's domestic customers, and also didn't score too well in our latest assessment.

In contrast, smaller firms including E, Ecotricity and Utility Warehouse topped our table. Plus we've previously seen small firms that are among the best of the bunch when we rate them for the first time. So you might pick the small firm that's a future Which? Recommended Provider. 

That said, we've also found small firms falling short in our survey. And big provider Octopus Energy is one of our Which? Recommended Providers.

A question of stability?

The ultimate risk of choosing a small energy provider is that it goes bust. Many smaller firms stopped trading amid high wholesale prices in 2021 and 2022. 

If stability is the most important thing to you, you may feel more comfortable with a larger company. But it's still possible for a bigger firm to go out of business or be taken over. Bulb, which had 1.7 million customers, went into special administration in November 2021. Shell Energy was bought by Octopus Energy in December 2023.

If your supplier does go under or is bought by another firm, your gas and electricity won't be cut off. 

There are processes in place, set by energy regulator Ofgem, to find a new supplier and transfer your account. 

Find out what to do if your energy supplier stops trading.

What to check before you switch to a small supplier

• What do customers think of it? Check our energy supplier rankings first. If the firm is too small to be included, look for what customers say about it elsewhere online.
• Will you save money? Use our free independent energy comparison tool to see how its rates compare with other suppliers. Check against your current prices too. 
• Does it pay the Warm Home Discount? Energy firms only have to make this £150 payment (to those who qualify for certain benefits) if they have more than 150,000 customers. But some smaller ones choose to pay.
• Does it have the customer service support you need? Some firms have a wide range of ways to get in touch, with long opening hours. Some have phone lines open only between 9am and 5pm or provide few options to get in touch online.
• How will you pay? Some firms require in-advance monthly direct debit payments. Others give more choice of ways, and how often, you pay.

100 Green

100Green, formerly known as GEUK, was established in 2001, making it one of the oldest energy firms outside the traditional big firms. 

It was the first energy supplier to launch a tariff using a smart meter to charge customers different electricity rates depending on the time of day. 

In October 2023, 100Green was included in our behind-the-scenes assessment of energy suppliers' practices and procedures. It received a supplier score of 62%. This puts it in joint-13th of the 18 suppliers we rated. See the best and worst energy companies for 2024. 

100Green is one of the four firms we named Eco Providers for energy companies in 2023.

100Green doesn't generate renewable electricity itself but buys all the electricity it supplies directly from generators in the UK, including some that don't get government subsidies. 

Its gas is also 100% ‘green’ gas, generated from anaerobic digestion (where micro-organisms break down organic matter without oxygen to produce methane and biogas).

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. 

When we compared energy companies on their green credentials in November 2023, 100Green scored 70%. This puts it in joint-second in our table of the 17 companies we rated.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity and how 100Green compares to others.

Ebico Living

Ebico Living is a not-for-profit supplier, which is partnered with Octopus Energy to supply its customers' with gas and electricity. 

It's responsible for acquiring new customers while Octopus provides its customer service. It sells tariffs for both credit and prepayment meter customers with no exit fees. It also sells smart radiator valves.

As Ebico Living is supplied by Octopus Energy it sells 100% renewable electricity, some of which Octopus generates itself, some of which it buys directly from generators and some of which it backs with renewable energy certificates. None of Octopus Energy's brands sell green gas.

Ebico Living customers can't access Octopus Energy's time-of-use or Smart Export Guarantee tariffs for those who export excess electricity from solar panels.

Find out more about Octopus Energy's renewable energy and read about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

Fuse Energy

Electricity-only Fuse Energy, launched in July 2023, claims to have the cheapest variable tariff in the UK. 

It's an app-only supplier whose customers must pay by variable direct debit. That means your payments change each month depending on the amount of electricity you used the month before. 

Fuse Energy says it operates UK solar and wind sites and plans to reinvest its profits into renewable electricity projects around the world.

Good Energy

Good Energy was the first dedicated 100% renewable electricity supplier, founded more than 25 years ago. 

In October 2023 Good Energy was included in our behind-the-scenes assessment of energy suppliers' practices and procedures. It received a supplier score of 60%. This puts it in joint-15th of the 18 suppliers we rated. See the best and worst energy companies for 2024.

It’s one of the four firms we named Eco Providers for energy companies in 2023.

Good Energy has signed up to the Science Based Targets initiative and committed to halving its emissions, compared to 2018, by 2030.

Good Energy sells 100% renewable electricity to its customers and buys all of it directly from generators. Around 40% of its electricity comes from generators that don't get government subsidies. This is important because these generators may not otherwise get the funding they need.

Good Energy buys its renewable electricity from more than 1,700 small-scale producers. Some 10% of the gas it sells to homes is matched with green gas – biomethane generated from organic matter such as leftover food and agricultural waste. It offsets the rest by investing in projects which improve access to green energy around the world.

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.

Good Energy told us: 'Good Energy’s primary way of supporting renewables has always been via PPAs (power purchase agreements) with independent generators – we believe in a decentralised, clean green future for the energy grid. 

'We have one of the largest Feed-in Tariff customer bases of all energy companies, helping more than 180,000 small-scale customers get paid for the clean energy they generate. This makes us the only energy company in the UK with more generator customers than supply customers.'

When we compared energy companies on their green credentials in November 2023, Good Energy scored 80%. This puts it in joint-first in our table of the 17 companies we rated.

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

Home Energy

Based in the midlands, Home Energy says it's one of the most modern energy retailers in the UK. 

It provides gas and electricity to homes and businesses. 

London Power

London Power, launched in January 2020, is an energy company exclusively for London residents. It’s a partnership between City Hall and Octopus Energy. 

London Power says prices will always be fair and affordable. At the end of your contract, you will be moved onto the cheapest similar plan.

Any profits go into projects to help London become a zero-carbon city.

London Power, as a partner of Octopus Energy, sells 100% renewable electricity, some of which it generates itself, some of which it buys directly from generators and some of which it backs with renewable energy certificates. None of Octopus Energy's brands sell green gas.

London Power customers can't access Octopus Energy's time-of-use or Smart Export Guarantee tariffs for those who export excess electricity from solar panels.

Find out more about Octopus Energy's renewable energy and read about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

National Gas

Previously known as British Natural Gas, this small supplier is not to be confused with Britain’s biggest supplier, British Gas. It sells only gas and says its priority is to save people money.

Qwest Energy

Qwest Energy is part of Octopus Energy and says it reinvests some of its profits in local community projects.

Qwest Energy, as part of Octopus Energy, sells 100% renewable electricity, some of which it generates itself, some of which it buys directly from generators and some of which it backs with renewable energy certificates.

None of Octopus Energy's brands sell green gas.

Find out more about Octopus Energy's renewable energy.

Rebel Energy

Rebel Energy says it sells some of the most affordable tariffs and has accessible customer service. 

It also says it helps customers with their credit scores and backs projects that remove carbon. 

Roar Power

Roar Power provides gas and electricity to homes in Norwich and the east of England and is part of Octopus Energy.

It reinvests some of its profits in local community projects. As part of Octopus Energy, it also sells 100% renewable electricity, some of which it generates itself, some of which it buys directly from generators and some of which it backs with renewable energy certificates.

None of Octopus Energy's brands sell green gas.

Find out more about Octopus Energy's renewable energy and read about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

Tomato Energy

Tomato Energy installs solar panels, batteries to store electricity and EV chargers. You must live in certain areas to get these, including Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and Reading). If you don't you can still buy electricity from it.

One of its tariffs has lower prices for three periods each day so that EV owners can charge at lower rates. 

Tulo Energy

Tulo Energy says it aims to be as straightforward as possible and have transparent pricing.

Customers can manage their accounts online or via Tulo's app.