Two more energy companies go bust

Two more UK energy firms have ceased trading amid soaring wholesale energy prices.

Pure Planet and Colorado Energy have announced they are ceasing to trade. Pure Planet supplies gas and electricity to around 235,000 domestic customers and Colorado Energy supplies gas and electricity to around 15,000 domestic customers.

The founders of Pure Planet have hit out at the government’s ‘illogical’ failure to support the energy retail sector, as they confirmed the supplier was exiting the market. Pure Planet’s Directors confirmed that BP, which owns 24 per cent of the company, had withdrawn its support because of the ‘increasing risks and large potential losses’ faced. 

In recent weeks there has been an unprecedented increase in global gas prices which is putting financial pressure on suppliers. Ofgem is working closely with government and industry to make sure customers continue to be protected this winter.

Under Ofgem’s safety net, customers’ energy supply will continue and funds that domestic customers have paid into their accounts will be protected, where they are in credit. Domestic customers will also be protected by the energy price cap when being switched to a new supplier.

Neil Lawrence, Director of Retail at Ofgem, said “Ofgem’s number one priority is to protect customers. We know this is a worrying time for many people and news of a supplier going out of business can be unsettling.”

“I want to reassure affected customers that they do not need to worry: under our safety net we’ll make sure your energy supplies continue. If you have credit on your account the funds you have paid in are protected and you will not lose the money that is owed to you.”

“Ofgem will choose a new supplier for you and while we are doing this our advice is to wait until we appoint a new supplier and do not switch in the meantime. You can rely on your energy supply as normal. We will update you when we have chosen a new supplier, who will then get in touch about your tariff.”