The Big Six Review

Out of the many other energy suppliers, there were only six major companies that have successfully dominated the energy market in the United Kingdom. These energy providers have supplied about 95% of gas and electricity to homes and businesses. The question is, who exactly are they?
Tagged as the “Big Six”, their ventures provided only a small room for the remaining small energy suppliers in the UK market. The home and business electric “Big Six” are:

British Gas

With over 10 million domestic UK customers and 33, 000 staffs, British Gas is the biggest gas and electricity supplier in the United Kingdom. The company’s headquarter is based in Staines-upon-Thames, United Kingdom. It is partly owned by Centrica Group, a large British company that is also linked with oil and gas ventures and production.
Its current managing director is Mark Hodges. In 2015, the company loss about £1.1bn due to the high amount it charges to its customers. However, in the following year, Centrica revealed that it created about £2.2bn after offering attractive prices.

Npower

The German-owned energy supplier has over 6 million home and business customers, making it as one of the leading and largest gas and electricity suppliers in the UK. It was founded by Innogy plc, however, it was acquired by RWE in 2002. In the first 6 months of 2015, it was reported that the company only earned £38, compared to its 2014’s profit of £100m.
However, after several billing concerns and price complaints, the company was able to win back its customers again. In July 2016, it has signed 100,000 domestic customers. Paul Coffey and Paul Massara are the current Chief Executive Officers of the company.

SSE

Also known as Southern Electric Business Electricity, SSE is considered as the largest UK energy supplier. It has over 2.8 million customers and 21,118 staffs. It is known for generating and supplying electricity and gas, however, it is also involved in the operation of telecom networks and other services such as gas storage, contracting, and metering. Alistair Phillips-Davies is the current Chief Executive Officer of SSE Plc.
In 2016, it was reported that the company earned £585.2 million net. The company, too, has suffered a loss in the previous years, however, after offering fixed prices, it has competed very well with other low-priced energy companies.

Scottish Power

The energy and gas supplier is based in Glasgow, Scotland. It has over 3 million customers and more than 9,000 employees. Previously, it was a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index, however, it turned into Iberdrola’s subsidiary in 2006.
Neil Clitheroe is the current Chief Executive Officer of Scottish Power. Its reported gross income as of 2015 is about £368m. Scottish Power, however, increased its prices due to reduced wholesale energy costs.

E.On

Previously owned as Powergen, the company was acquired by a German E.On Group in 2007, one of the world’s largest investor-owned gas and power brands. It formerly served Midlands region in the UK, however, after the acquisition, it already supplies in any region. It has over 5 million customers and more than 15,000 employees in the UK and 79,000 worldwide.
The company, which is currently headed by Tony Cocker, owned PPM Energy in the US, however, its name was changed to Iberdrola Renewables, Inc. In 2016, it was reported that E.On profited £42.24B. Although it has increased its tariffs, it is lower than the other energy suppliers.

EDF Energy

Known as an integrated energy company in the UK, EDF provides gas and electricity to homes and businesses in the country. The company’s headquarter is based in London, England with over 13,000 employees who handles more than 5 million customer accounts. John Rittenhouse is the existing Chief Executive Officer of EDF.
In 2012, the company lost £92m and was still expecting more loss in the coming years. However, in 2016, EDF was able to acquire over £2.40b income. Apparently, it benefited from the minor impairment losses and the series of its nuclear reactors were seized.