Shell Energy

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Shell Energy Retail Limited
IndustryUtilities
PredecessorFirst Utility
Founded2008
Headquarters
Coventry
,
United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
Colin Crooks, Chief executive
ProductsGas & electricity
ParentShell plc
Websitewww.shellenergy.co.uk Edit this at Wikidata

Shell Energy Retail Limited is the UK consumer gas, electricity and broadband operations business of Shell.[1]

The company does not generate electricity, instead purchasing it from international markets. Originally known as First Utility, the company had a relationship with Shell, where it acted as an intermediary to purchase wholesale energy on the global market.[2] Shell reached an agreement to purchase the company in December 2017, and completed the acquisition in February 2018. Rebranding to Shell Energy took place in March 2019[3][4] and the business now forms part of Shell's New Energies division.

History[]

First Utility logo, 2015

First Utility was launched in 2008 by co-founders Mark Daeche, Darren Braham and Marcus Citron as a spin-out from First Telecom.[5][6] In January 2012, the company appointed the former lastminute.com CEO Ian McCaig as its new CEO.[7]

As a small new entrant to the market, the company experimented with new technology.[citation needed] The company was the first in the UK to offer smart meters to its residential customers.[citation needed][8][9] This also gave the company experience of a large smart meter roll-out programme.[10][citation needed] The company partnered with various other providers including oPower and Google PowerMeter to provide customers with access to usage data.[11]

Ofgem issued a disciplinary order against the company in December 2010[12] for failing to protect vulnerable customers.[13][14]

In 2014, the company received criticism for the tone of its energy saving advice. When it was reported that shadow Energy Minister Tom Greatrex had said the advice was an "insult" to millions of people, the company's reported response was that "These tips are meant to provide some advice on how we might reduce our energy usage and absolutely not intended to trivialise the issue of fuel poverty, something we take very seriously."[15]

In January 2014, the company signed a three-year deal to become title sponsors of the Super League.[16]

In September 2014, the firm announced it was considering an initial public offering or outside investment to fund foreign expansion.[17]

In September 2015, the company announced an expansion into Germany to be branded as Shell.[18]

In September 2015, Reuters reported that First Utility had doubled customer numbers in three of the last four years, adding 275,000 customers in the year to July 2015.[19]

Shell reached an agreement to buy the company in December 2017,[20] and the deal was completed on 28 February 2018.[21] In March 2019, the company announced all customers would be supplied with electricity from 100% renewable sources.[22]

First Utility had also offered an Internet access service, bundled with line rental and phone calls, and this was continued under the Shell Energy brand.[23]

Acquisitions[]

In October 2019, Shell Energy agreed the £10.5m purchase of the customers of Green Star Energy, a brand of Canada's Just Energy. Green Star had around 200,000 residential gas and electricity customers.[24]

In February 2021, Shell Energy took over the broadband and phone customers of Post Office Ltd.[25]

In September 2021, Ofgem chose Shell Energy to take on the 255,000 customers of failed supplier Green Supplier Limited.[26] The following month, Ofgem chose Shell Energy to take on the 15,000 Colorado Energy, 235,000 Pure Planet and 9,000 Daligas customers after those suppliers ceased trading.[27]

References[]

  1. ^ "Shell Energy Customer Base Grows as U.K. Power Suppliers Go Bust". Bloomberg.com. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  2. ^ Gosden, Emily (9 December 2013). "First Utility eyes lower bills with Shell energy deal". The Daily Telegraph.
  3. ^ Chapman, Ben (25 March 2019). "Shell Energy is offering 700,000 UK homes 100% renewable electricity for first time ever". The Independent. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  4. ^ "SHELL ENERGY RETAIL LIMITED". Companies House. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  5. ^ Cave, Andrew (19 October 2013). "First utility boss: bills could double in the next 10 years". The Daily Telegraph.
  6. ^ "Fast Track 100 - First Utility". Fast Track. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Energy minnow seeks big name". The Independent. London. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  8. ^ "First Utility appoints Siemens to deliver nationwide consumer Smart Meter programme". PR web. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  9. ^ "First:utility makes Smart Meters available for free". Energylinx. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  10. ^ "First:utility warns of smart meter pitfalls and tightening targets". BusinessGreen. 18 May 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  11. ^ "First Utility to lower energy bills with smart grid software". GreenwiseBusiness. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  12. ^ "Provisional Order under Section 25(2) of the Electricity Act 1989 and Section 28(2) of the Gas Act 1986" (PDF). Ofgem.gov.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  13. ^ Mason, Rowena (9 January 2011). "First Utility 'failing to protect vulnerable'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  14. ^ "First Utility's vulnerable customer policy is 'not fit for purpose'". The Guardian. 10 January 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  15. ^ Tobin, Lucy (3 January 2014). "Energy firm First Utility suggests clients give up tea and shower with other people to cut costs". The Independent. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  16. ^ "Super League agrees new three-year sponsorship deal". BBC Sport. 21 January 2014.
  17. ^ Schaps, Karolin (7 September 2014). "UK's First Utility eyes IPO to fund expansion". Reuters (Press release).
  18. ^ Gosden, Emily (30 September 2015). "First Utility launches in Germany - branded as Shell". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  19. ^ Schaps, Karolin (23 September 2015). "UK's small energy suppliers gain market share from 'big six'". Reuters UK. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  20. ^ Vaughan, Adam (21 December 2017). "Shell to supply energy to UK households after takeover of First Utility". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 December 2017.
  21. ^ "Shell completes acquisition of First Utility".
  22. ^ "StackPath". www.choose.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  23. ^ "Shell Energy Broadband Deals". cable.co.uk. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  24. ^ Stoker, Liam (9 October 2019). "Shell Energy lands £10.5 million Green Star Energy acquisition deal". Current News. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  25. ^ Jackson, Mark (1 February 2021). "Shell Signs Deal to Gobble Post Office's UK Broadband Division". ISPreview UK. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  26. ^ Lempriere, Molly (28 September 2021). "Shell Energy takes on failed supplier Green's customers". Current. Retrieved 10 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  27. ^ Mann, Jyoti (18 October 2021). "Latest UK energy supplier succumbs to gas market storm". Financial Times. Retrieved 18 October 2021.

External links[]

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