Social Energy Supply: who took over, and how to complain
Social Energy Supply stopped trading on 16 November 2021. Ofgem moved its customers to British Gas from 21 November 2021. Complaints now start with British Gas, then the Energy Ombudsman.
Short answer
Social Energy Supply stopped trading on 16 November 2021. Ofgem appointed British Gas as Supplier of Last Resort, taking on customers from 21 November 2021. Customers affected: 5,500 domestic.
| Supplier | Social Energy Supply Ltd |
|---|---|
| Stopped trading | 16 November 2021 |
| Supplier of Last Resort | British Gas (from 21 November 2021) |
| Customers | 5,500 domestic |
Source: Ofgem, “Check who’s taken over your energy supply”, read 30 September 2026.
How to take a complaint about Social Energy Supply to the Energy Ombudsman
- Complain to British Gas (your account moved there) first, in writing if you can, and keep the reference.
- Allow 8 weeks for it to be put right — or less if the supplier sends a deadlock letter saying it cannot do more.
- Register the dispute with the Energy Ombudsman online, by phone, email or post. It is free.
- You must escalate within 12 months of receiving the deadlock letter.
- Both sides send evidence within 14 days; the Ombudsman reviews it and makes a decision.
- If you accept the decision, the supplier has 28 days to carry out the remedy.
The Ombudsman can tell a supplier to take practical action — credit your account, cancel an account, change your tariff — apologise, or pay a financial award. It cannot punish or fine a supplier. Need the letter? Our free complaint letter generator cites the licence conditions, and the Ombudsman vs Ofgem guide explains who handles what.
Credit balances, debts and meter readings
When a supplier fails, Ofgem says your supply is not cut off and prepayment meters can still be topped up. The new supplier contacts you, puts you on a deemed contract (still covered by the price cap) and can move you to its cheapest tariff with no exit fee. Household credit balances are protected — the new supplier contacts you about a refund. Businesses are not protected in the same way: business credit depends on the old supplier’s administrator. If the new supplier took over your debt, you pay it instead; otherwise you may still owe the old supplier or its administrator. Take a meter reading and keep it.
Source: Ofgem, “What happens if your energy supplier goes bust”, read 30 September 2026.
Questions
What happened to Social Energy Supply?
Social Energy Supply stopped trading on 16 November 2021. Ofgem appointed British Gas as Supplier of Last Resort, taking on customers from 21 November 2021. Customers affected: 5,500 domestic.
Who do I complain to about Social Energy Supply?
Raise it with British Gas: Ofgem says the new supplier reviews complaints about your old supplier that were not fixed. If it is still unresolved after 8 weeks, or you get a deadlock letter, go to the Energy Ombudsman. If you already had an Ombudsman case open, the Ombudsman contacts you.
Did I lose my credit balance with Social Energy Supply?
Household credit balances are protected by Ofgem’s rules: your details pass to the new supplier, who contacts you about a refund. Businesses are not protected in the same way — business credit depends on the old supplier’s administrator.
What about money I owed?
If the new supplier took over your debt, you pay them instead, usually through a payment plan. If not, you may still owe the old supplier or its administrator.
Other suppliers whose customers went to British Gas
Together Energy · Neon Reef · Zebra Power · Bluegreen Energy Services · People's Energy · PFP Energy · MoneyPlus Energy
Process from energyombudsman.org and its FAQs, read 30 September 2026. General information, not legal advice. All suppliers A–Z.
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