SSE tops Big Six energy suppliers' complaint list
Energy giant SSE received the highest proportion of customer complaints out of the Big Six energy suppliers in the last quarter, data from the regulator has shown.
Between July and September, 3,475 out of every 100,000 customers complained to SSE, according to Ofgem. Npower (2,898) was next on the list and ScottishPower (2,719) was third.
With 2,141 complaints per 100,000 customers, British Gas was the best performer out of the nation's largest suppliers.
In total, the Big Six received a total of 1.15 million complaints over the three-month period. This was actually down on the previous quarterly total of 1.3 million, but Energyhelpline co-founder Mark Todd said the figure remained "far too high" and needed "dramatic" improvement.
He added: "Consumers looking to save money may find it interesting to note that there appears to be no clear correlation between the price they pay for energy and the service they receive."
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Responding to news that it had topped the complaints list, a spokesman for SSE said: "Customers are at the heart of our business and where we do get it wrong, we are committed to putting things right quickly.
"When a customer contacts us with an expression of dissatisfaction, no matter how small, we record it. In the last quarter we resolved 87% of complaints by the end of the next working day and have the best complaint handling record according to Citizens Advice."
Below is the complete breakdown of customer complaints per 100,000 customers at the Big Six suppliers, according to Ofgem figures.
SSE - 3,475
Npower - 2,898
ScottishPower - 2,719
edf - 2,639
e.on - 2,539
British Gas - 2,141
Earlier this week a report released by the energy ombudsman had identified Co-operative Energy, which is part of Midcounties Co-op, as the supplier with the highest proportion of customer complaints.
However, Energyhelpline noted this was based on a far smaller customer size, as customers either resolve their issues direct with their supplier or simply do not know the ombudsman exists.
