SSE sees customers switch off after watchdog’s clampdown

Scottish gas and energy supplier SSE today revealed the cost of the regulatory clampdown on the sector, reporting the loss of 50,000 customers in its first quarter.

The Competition and Markets Authority last month set out its final reforms for the energy industry including a creation of a national database of households that haven’t switched suppliers in three years.

This follows a two-year, £80 million investigation.

Smaller energy providers like Ovo and First Utility have been gaining ground amid a consumer backlash to the Big Six providers, British Gas, Npower, SSE, Scottish Power, E.On and EDF. SSE said customers in the UK and Ireland totalled 8.16 million in the three months to June 30, down from 8.21 million at the end of March.

Despite that SSE, which also has wind power operations, is still targeting a return to growth this year. It is continuing to monitor the impact of Brexit, it added.