Small energy companies N-Z

There are many energy companies to choose between in England, Scotland and Wales. Yet more than seven in 10 of us get our energy from the six biggest firms.

If you're considering a new supplier – perhaps a cheap one that has caught your eye – here's an introduction to every small energy supplier in Great Britain to help you decide. Click on a company’s name above to skip to its profile. This is the second half of the list - head to our small energy companies A-M for the first half.

Firm not listed here? Check our energy company reviews to see if it's among the firms rated in our latest energy companies survey. Our reviews cover the firms from which more than 96% of us buy energy.

If you live in Northern Ireland, find out how Northern Ireland gas and electricity firms match up.

Nabuh Energy

Sheffield-based Nabuh Energy says it sells low-cost, hassle-free prepayment energy. It sells fixed deals for direct debit customers too, none of which have exit fees.

Nabuh Energy has been part of British Gas since 27 April 2021, after it bought the smaller brand. This means that British Gas supplies customers' gas and electricity (and you pay your bills to it). But the Nabuh Energy brand still exists, tariffs have stayed the same and you should contact Nabuh Energy with any queries.

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.

Neo Energy

Neo Energy was launched in early 2020 and is owned by Euston Energy.

It is the world’s first energy supplier to allow customers to pay with cryptocurrency. Customers can pay in pounds too and its tariffs have no exit fees.

It offered free electricity in June and July to customers who joined between 11 April and 30 April 2020. Some industry experts questioned the financial sustainability of the company for offering its customers free energy. Neo Energy’s CEO said ‘there are so many additional risks running an energy company and it’s just another one.’

Neon Reef

Poole-based newcomer Neon Reef stopped trading on 16 November 2021. If you're one of its 30,000 customers, you will be transferred to British Gas.

British Gas will contact you (by email, text and letter) shortly. While you're waiting, take a meter reading and submit it to Neon Reef. It's also a good idea to save a copy of your latest statement or take a screenshot of your account balance. 

Your account with British Gas won't be fully set-up for four to six weeks. Ofgem advises that you don't switch supplier before your new account is set up. This should make the process of transferring you to the new supplier and reimbursing your credit as smooth as possible.

Any credit you had with Neon Reef is safe. But it could take two to three months to get it back, British Gas says. Neon Reef's administrators have to finalise your account.

If you're in debt to Neon Reef, you should know more in a couple of weeks.

Read all of British Gas' information for Neon Reef customers.

Find out what to do if your energy supplier closes down. 

Neon Reef's customers managed their accounts via app, online and email. It didn't provide paper bills or have a phone line. It also donated to charity Shark Trust when customers sign up to its Reef One tariff.

A small proportion of the overall electricity Neon Reef sold was matched with renewable sources. It didn’t generate renewable electricity or buy it directly from renewable generators.

Neon Reef’s electricity fuel mix was 8.3% renewable, 8.2% nuclear and 78.3% from fossil fuels. 

For 2020/21 Neon Reef told us that 100% of the renewable electricity it sells would be matched with renewables by it buying REGO certificates.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

Northumbria Energy

Northumbria Energy says it provides ‘first class customer service’ and guaranteed savings on your electricity bill.

Like Neo Energy, it is owned by Euston Energy. In March 2020, energy regulator Ofgem banned it from taking on new customers until it was able to use the wireless network for smart meters (called the DCC). The ban was lifted in May 2020 after it became a DCC user.

Northumbria Energy's fuel mix is 4% renewable, 9.8% nuclear and 81% fossil fuel (for 2019/20). It told us that 33% of its customers' electricity use will be matched with renewable sources, using renewable energy certificates for 2020/21.

It doesn’t generate renewable electricity or buy it directly from renewable generators.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

Omni Energy

Yorkshire-based newcomer Omni Energy stopped trading on 2 November 2021. If you were among its 6,000 customers, your new supplier is Utilita.

Your new tariff will be Utilita's Smart Energy tariff which has no standing charge or exit fees. You can top-up as usual, using your Omni Energy top-up key or card. Utilita will send you new ones in the post. 

Read more about what to do if your energy supplier closes down. Then find out what customers think of Utilita.

Omni Energy said it 'makes prepayment and PAYG energy better'. It offered one tariff, which you manage via a smartphone app.

Yorkshire-based Omni Energy said it sold only renewable electricity. It did not generate renewable electricity or buy it directly from renewable generators. It matched its customers’ electricity use with renewables by buying renewable energy certificates.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

Orbit Energy

Orbit Energy closed on 25 November 2021. If you're among its 65,000 customers, you are now a customer of Scottish Power. 

Your energy supply will continue as usual. Scottish Power says 'we'll work closely with Orbit Energy to make your transfer to us as smooth as possible'.

If you were in credit with Orbit Energy, Scottish Power will add it to your new account once Orbit Energy's administrators have notified it. This should be within three months but depends on the administrator, it says.

If you switched away from Orbit Energy, Scottish Power will send you a cheque for your credit.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter you can carry on topping-up as usual. Scottish Power will send you a new top-up device. When you get it, you should use it instead of your Orbit Energy one.

Find out what to do if your energy supplier closes.  

Orbit Energy promised 'stress-free' energy. Shell supplied its electricity and gas, which it said meant it could offer ‘secure, competitively priced’ energy.

Customers had to manage their account online.

Orbit Energy did not generate renewable electricity or buy it directly from renewable generators. It matched its customers’ electricity use with renewables by buying certificates.

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

In March 2021 energy regulator Ofgem revealed that Orbit Energy is paying 723 of its customers an average of £9.79 each after overcharging them when they switched supplier or tariff between 2013 and 2020. It was one of 18 energy firms found by regulator Ofgem to have failed to uphold these rules. Over 1 million customers were affected overall.

PFP Energy

PFP Energy stopped trading on 7 September 2021. Its 82,000 customers were moved to British Gas, chosen by energy regulator Ofgem.

Ofgem says British Gas is offering a 'competitive' tariff. It will tell you your new rates when it gets in touch with you about the changes. 

You can then ask for British Gas' cheapest deal or switch supplier. Wait until your account is set up before switching so that there's no disruption to repaying any credit you had with PFP Energy.

If you were in credit to PFP Energy and switched before it closed, British Gas will also honour this.

Read more about what to do if your energy supplier closes down. Then find out more about British Gas.

PFP Energy launched in 2015 and was originally a not-for-profit supplier.

Don't put up with high energy bills and poor customer service. Use Which? Switch to find the cheapest gas and electricity.

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 and read about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity.

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.

If you want to switch, following our quick guide to How to switch energy supplier.

Social Energy

Social Energy stopped trading on 16 November 2021. If you're one of the 5,500 customers who bought energy from it, British Gas is your new energy supplier. You'll hear from British Gas by email, text and letter. 

Submit meter readings to Social Energy in the meantime and download you most recent statement (or take a screenshot of your account balance) so you have a record.

Wait until your account is fully set up before you switch supplier, Ofgem advises, so it's simpler to get your credit back. British Gas says this could take four to six weeks, plus potentially an extra couple of months to get your credit back.

Your credit it safe however and Social Energy's administrators are finalising your account. If you were in debt to Social Energy, there will be more information in a few weeks.

See more information from British Gas for Social Energy customers.

Social Energy had a unique set-up, helping customers install solar panels and a battery to store renewable electricity to power their homes. It paid customers for exported electricity and for helping balance the grid.

Social Energy Limited, is still operating. So if you have solar panels and a battery connected by the Social Energy Hub then it will still manage whether your renewable electricity is stored, imported or exported to the grid.

You will still get grid services payments from Social Energy. However you'll need to find a new firm to pay the Smart Export Guarantee. Find out more about the Smart Export Guarantee.

Customers should get an email from Social Energy about the changes.

Square1 Energy

Worcestershire-based Square1 Energy says that all of its prices are fixed rates, meaning that they will stay the same throughout your contract. 

To speak to Square1 Energy, you'll need to book a call-back.

Symbio Energy

Symbio Energy stopped trading on 29 September 2021. If you are among its 48,000 customers, your new supplier is Eon Next.

It will contact you in the coming weeks about the changes. In the meantime:

• take a meter reading
• don't switch supplier until your account is set up.

It's also worth downloading your statements or bills from your online account so that you have a record.

Eon Next says your details will be transferred to it automatically and any credit you had with Symbio Energy will be protected. You might not see your credit appear in your new Eon Next account straight away, but it will be in touch in the next few weeks to tell you how you'll get it back.

You will be on its cheapest variable tariff based on average energy consumption, Eon Next says. The prices will be guaranteed until 31 March 2022.

When the transfer is complete you'll be able to switch supplier if you want to.

Read more about what to do if your energy supplier stops trading. See also our FAQs on energy price rises and supplier failures.

Symbio Energy supplier claimed (in January 2021) to be the lowest-priced electricity provider. Customers paid by direct debit only and Symbio Energy took payment in advance. You had to manage your online account online.

In May 2021 energy regulator Ofgem fined Symbio Energy £100,000 for making late payments into government renewables schemes.

Together Energy

Together Energy stopped trading on 18 January 2022. Energy market regulator Ofgem will appoint a new supplier, in a process called Supplier of Last Resort.

Your new company will contact you in the weeks following the closure about the changes. In the meantime:

• Take a meter reading and upload it to your online account.
• Don't switch supplier until your account is set up.

It's also worth downloading your statements or bills from your online account so that you have a record.

Any credit you had with Together Energy will be protected. 

When the transfer is complete you'll be able to switch supplier if you want to.

Read more about what to do if your energy supplier stops trading. See also our FAQs on energy price rises and supplier failures.

Together Energy claimed to be Scotland's fastest-growing energy company. Set up in 2016, it had more than 60,000 customers.

It was based in Dunbartonshire and said it recruited more than 90% of its staff from the poorest 10% of postcodes in Scotland.

In 2020 it bought Bristol Energy's customers for £14m. Bristol Energy also stopped trading in January 2022.

Previously it has had a ranking in the annual Which? energy survey results. We were unable to gather feedback from enough customers this year to give it a score.

Yu Energy

Yu Energy has around 20,000 domestic and business customers. It says it has a 'passion for customer care'.

When Ampower stopped trading in November 2021, it took on its 600 customers. 

Zebra Power

British-owned Zebra Power launched in spring 2017 and closed on 2 November 2021. Its 14,800 customers are now supplied by British Gas.

British Gas will be in touch but warns it could take four to six weeks to set up your new account. While you wait:

• take a meter reading and submit it on Zebra Power's website
• don't switch supplier until your account is set up.

It's worth downloading your statements and bills, if you can, so you have a record.

Your new tariff will be at the level of the price cap.

Any credit you had with Zebra Power will be protected. But it could take two to three months to be added to your British Gas account.

If you were in debt to Zebra Power, its administrators will be in touch.

Read more about what to do if your energy supplier closes down. Find out what customers think of British Gas.

Zebra Power said it aimed to offer fair prices and friendly customer service.

Zog Energy

Zog Energy closed on 1 December 2021. If you're among its 11,700 customers, your new supplier is EDF Energy from 4 December.

You will be contacted in the coming days about the changes. Any credit you had with Zog Energy will be protected. In the meantime: 

• take a meter reading
• download your latest statement or bill if you can
• don't switch supplier, advises Ofgem.

Find out what to do if your energy supplier closes.  

Zog Energy was a gas-only supplier which sold five different tariffs, each with a different standing charge and unit rate. Some of them had exit fees of up to £30.

Want to save money on your energy bills? Use our independent switching site, Which? Switch, to find the cheapest energy deal.