SSE and nPower merger talks

D_M_E

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41901335

If the merger does go ahead, I wonder what levels of incompetence we will see as a result.

AndyPK

I'm with both companies.

Never realised SSE was so much bigger than nPwr.

nPWR have invested so much more in Apps and website

SpotlandRules

Depends who is in charge. If Npower, the same level that they provide now. Cannot believe the SSE's level is higher than Npower's, although never been with them.

[Deleted User]

Well I doubt it will go ahead as the new combined firm would have 22% of the market (figures on BBC Business website). This would make it the second biggest energy supplier (BG has 27%).
So 2 firms would control half of the market!

This would leave no real competition (E.ON would be the 3rd biggest with 12% of the market). So it should fail any Monopolies and Mergers investigation at both UK and EU level.

I can see why npower's owner would like to float off their UK energy arm now (in case you haven't guessed, it's Brexit) so that they can get their money back into the EU safely. And if the UK stock exchange tanks in the coming years, well they may even buy it back for less than they sold it for.

[Deleted User]

And the merger attempt is now confirmed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41912570
Using the word "attempt" as I cannot see how this action will be allowed given it massively reduces consumer choice and puts 50% of the energy market in the hands of 2 companies.

Bark01

gsmlnx wrote: »

And the merger attempt is now confirmed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41912570
Using the word "attempt" as I cannot see how this action will be allowed given it massively reduces consumer choice and puts 50% of the energy market in the hands of 2 companies.

Thats nothing new go back 5-10 years and BG had a 40% market share and SSE had a 20% market share.

System

Labour is now demanding that the proposal goes to the CMA for review. According to the FT, industry and competition experts are divided on the need for a CMA review given that the new company will be smaller than BG. SSE/NPower hope to be up and running by the end of the year. Could be a worrying run up to Christmas for employees working for SSE and NPower. Words like ‘savings through economies of scale’ are being liberally cast around by both companies.

SallyG

Can't stomach the idea of being back with Npower via SSE merger - would it be deemed contract change /grounds for leaving penalty free?

Carrot007

SallyG wrote: »

Can't stomach the idea of being back with Npower via SSE merger - would it be deemed contract change /grounds for leaving penalty free?

I doubt you are in such a long contract that you wont be able to leave before it happens.

These things take time you know!

alanq

Carrot007 wrote: »

I doubt you are in such a long contract that you wont be able to leave before it happens.

These things take time you know!

I am just entering year 2 of a 3-year fix. If the merger is going to happen I would expect it to take less than two years. Npower has had some serious billing issues and in January was rated with the lowest customer satisfaction rating. SSE ranked similarly to other big companies which is why I ignored Npower when looking at price comparison sites for a new energy provider.
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-01-19/npower-ranked-bottom-of-customer-satisfaction-survey/

Carrot007

alanq wrote: »

I am just entering year 2 of a 3-year fix. If the merger is going to happen I would expect it to take less than two years. Npower has had some serious billing issues and in January was rated with the lowest customer satisfaction rating. SSE ranked similarly to other big companies which is why I ignored Npower when looking at price comparison sites for a new energy provider.
http://www.itv.com/news/2017-01-19/npower-ranked-bottom-of-customer-satisfaction-survey/

The way it has been set out nothing is going to happen for at least a year and then if it does it would be over the next year so who knows.

As for billing issues. This is always for customers with some issue, 98% of people experience no problem. And it's usually down to bad data. nad on that point yes, different companies are better at resolving it and that usually comes down to cost. The margins in domestic are so low that issues can mean they prefer you to leave. Especially out of the large companies. remember npower are the samllest of the large ones!

I was with npower in my previous house and had no problems except when I got a smart meter it initially was not sending reads back! and that is more a issue of the mop rather than the supplier. it was sorted when I moaned! Not with NP in current house though I would not be put off if it's cheap enough (it isn't, but nott by far). Though I am a single rate meter customer. The ones that tend not to have problems. E7 (and the scottish E8.5) can have problems but are easily fixed. other tarrifs. Well the industry is trying to get rid so they just don't like them and so issues occur.

Futhermore. Yes npower was still bottom of the CS list.; But things take time to fix and they are bottom but not by as much of a margin as they used to be!

Myself I can't be bothered moving supplier anymore, that's when issues can occur! But I'll stay on the best tarrif for me with my current supplier (SP, so unconnected with this!). And they are the best of the Bigs nearly. But it's onyl £10 a year better for the top so, meh!