Scottish Power - New build woes

cnwfc

I moved into a new build property in May, with energy provided by Scottish Power.

I have an IHD in the house which appears to giving me a daily and weekly cost on the electric, the gas meter is not smart. This was provided by the builder.

I have tried twice now to create an account with Scottish Power and they keep saying there is a system issue and they cannot take it any further - call back later.

I don't want to be with Scottish Power, can I just take an account out with somebody else?

The builder has said Scottish Power should write to me in 6 weeks, yet I have seen people who have gone as long as 8 months and then been slapped with a huge bill. With the price changes looming, I would rather get it sorted ASAP or even better, forget about Scottish Power altogether.

Can I move the energy without speaking to them?

Robin9

It's early days  - not even those 6 weeks.

In the meantime read your meter keep records and calculate what you owe using a wee spreadsheet.  Then out that money aside.

Scot_39

Re forgetting SP - suspect not.

You are likely to be on a deemed or default standard variable tariff - that is pretty much identical price wise across all suppliers in any case (for gas and single rate electric 0 but not necessarily multirate electric).

It may be different - more or less complicated for a new build - but in general you cannot move supplier - until you have registered with the deemed supplier (as used by previous occupier / owner ) at the new property.

But I guess if the builder registered with Scottish Power they may have become your deemed supplier (or perhaps more accurately if have used any power at that property).

New builds can actually be more complex than other moves. So for instance there can be issues - with plot numbers vs postal address etc that lead to errors say on national meter database - that can in fact take longer than 6 weeks to resolve - that may even stop you moving in any case.

And so until you have registered and get a bill - checking carefully it comes with the correct meter serial numbers and readings (assuming Smart) - I'd be wary of complicating the issue by being in a rush to change suppliers.

As above keep meter readings - day 1 and significant price points - like Ofgem cap changes if still not resolved by the end of the month (the next cap from Jul 1) - with digital photos as a back up (e.g phone).

And take your own readings - estimate your own costs - and set aside that cash for when the bills do eventually come.

t0rt0ise

Have a look to see if your address turns up here. If it doesn't then it hasn't yet been given an MPRN/MPAN in which case you don't yet have a supplier.

For gas https://findmysupplier.energy/

For electricity start here https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator

cnwfc

t0rt0ise said:

Have a look to see if your address turns up here. If it doesn't then it hasn't yet been given an MPRN/MPAN in which case you don't yet have a supplier.

For gas https://findmysupplier.energy/

For electricity start here https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator

The property shows on both of those sites.

Where can I find Scottish Power deemed / variable rates?

I am trying to workout how much we need to put aside for the inevitable huge energy bill they will slap us with.

Scot_39

I'd just use the Ofgem cap pricing - it should be accurate enough for a rough guess.

See for instance

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-advice-households/get-energy-price-cap-standing-charges-and-unit-rates-region

That covers current and next quarter by payment method.

There is 5-10% difference between DD and standard credit.

cnwfc

At the 4th attempt I now have an account with Scottish Power.

I have submitted the latest meter readings, unfortunately only the electric is smart. 

So what do I do next? I am currently on their standard dual fuel.

Scottish Power are offering me their standard variable or a fixed HelpBeatCancerAugust2025 fix.

Is it best to jump straight on the variable and see if I can pick up a fix when the price cap adjusts? It has no exit fees.

BarelySentientAI

Fixes don't change because the price cap does.

Do you even want a fix?

Anyway, now you have an account you can switch away as you wanted to.

cnwfc

So the price cap dropping only impacts people on variable tariffs?

Judging by the predictions, it seems the rates will rise again in October so fixing albeit a gamble is looking the best bet.

I don't particularly want to stay with Scottish Power but I also want to get off this Standard Dual Fuel tariff with its higher than normal rates and they haven't billed me for the first 4 weeks yet.

 

BarelySentientAI

cnwfc said:

I also want to get off this Standard Dual Fuel tariff with its higher than normal rates 

Are you sure?  That would breach the price cap.

cnwfc said:

So the price cap dropping only impacts people on variable tariffs?

The price cap refers to the standard variable tariff.

Fixes are based on what the supplier predicts will happen through the length of the fix, what contracts they can sign with generators etc.  The price cap actually changing (not working out what it will change to, because that happened weeks ago) means nothing in that calculation.

cnwfc

BarelySentientAI said:

cnwfc said:

I also want to get off this Standard Dual Fuel tariff with its higher than normal rates 

Are you sure?  That would breach the price cap.

cnwfc said:

So the price cap dropping only impacts people on variable tariffs?

The price cap refers to the standard variable tariff.

Fixes are based on what the supplier predicts will happen through the length of the fix, what contracts they can sign with generators etc.  The price cap actually changing (not working out what it will change to, because that happened weeks ago) means nothing in that calculation.

My current rates on Scottish Power are.......

Standing Charges

Electric 68.62p
Gas 35.21p

Unit Rate

Electric 25.092p
Gas 6.31p

I am paying normal standard credit rates not direct debit.

What they are proposing is....


Electric
62.72p per day with 23.83p unit charge.

Gas
31.45p per day with 6p unit charge.

£130 per month, 3 bed detached house, 2 occupants, going off our 4 week usage with latest readings submitted.