Curious Femme

As UK households struggle under rising energy costs, many are beginning to question the ethical conduct of the companies supplying their gas and electricity. While some firms promise green energy and fair pricing, others appear to profit handsomely from a crisis that has left many in fuel poverty. Curious Femme takes a forensic look at the major players in the UK energy market: who owns them, how they behave, and whether they’re part of the problem, or the solution.

British Gas (Centrica): Profits Before People?

Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, reported a staggering £3.3 billion in profits in 2022. Yet during the same period, journalists uncovered that British Gas contractors were forcibly installing prepayment meters in the homes of vulnerable and disabled customers. Ofgem called the practice “unacceptable,” prompting a national outcry.

Despite running the British Gas Energy Trust for hardship support, the company’s consumer service ratings are consistently poor. Watchdogs like Citizens Advice and Which? place it near the bottom for customer satisfaction, with Citizens Advice scoring it just 2.9/5. While British Gas does pay UK taxes, the ethical balance of record profits versus aggressive debt collection is hard to ignore.

EDF Energy: A Mixed Record

EDF, owned by the French government, generates significant profits from its UK nuclear operations. While its retail arm has made losses, its generation division earns billions. In 2012, it was required to compensate 70,000 customers for misleading sales practices; however, its current consumer service ratings are among the best for legacy suppliers.

EDF is regarded as a reliable supplier and a leader in low-carbon energy due to its nuclear assets. Its ethical standing is better than some peers, though questions remain about whether it could have done more to lower customer bills during the crisis.

E.ON UK: Mid-Tier but Improving

E.ON’s UK operations were also tarnished by bribery convictions involving two senior staff in 2025. The firm has since undergone a thorough overhaul and offers one of the more reliable customer experiences among major providers. It scores 3.1/5 with Citizens Advice and 62% in Which? rankings.

Despite past misconduct, E.ON’s environmental transition and improved customer service suggest a moderate ethical standing.

SSE: Green Credentials but Pricey Profits

No longer a retail supplier, SSE now focuses on generation and distribution. It is heavily invested in renewable energy but was fined nearly £10 million in 2023 for excessive charging practices. SSE has posted billions in profits during the energy crisis, which critics say should have been passed down to consumers.

SSE pays UK tax and is widely respected for its renewable push, but its high margins during a time of national hardship raise serious questions.

ScottishPower (Iberdrola): Green but Imperfect

ScottishPower, owned by Spain’s Iberdrola, is hailed for being the first big supplier to go 100% renewable. However, it’s not immune to criticism: it paid £18 million in penalties for mishandling customer complaints in 2016. Today, it scores above average on customer service and continues to invest in green infrastructure.

Its ethical record is better than most legacy suppliers, but it’s not without flaws.

Octopus Energy: The Ethical Standout

Privately held Octopus Energy consistently ranks at the top for customer service and ethical conduct. It absorbed high costs during the energy crisis to shield customers and scored 3.8/5 with Citizens Advice. It is also one of the few firms that delivers genuine 100% renewable energy without greenwashing.

Octopus pays UK taxes and reinvests profits into customer support and tech innovation. If ethics matter to your energy choice, Octopus is likely the gold standard.

OVO Energy: Once Promising, Now Problematic

OVO made headlines for all the wrong reasons. In 2022, its CEO told struggling families to do “star jumps” to keep warm. In 2024, Ofgem fined the company for mishandling over 1,300 customer complaints.

While once celebrated for its green credentials, OVO now ranks dead last in Citizens Advice’s customer service index. Founder-linked royalty payments and questionable financial arrangements further dent its credibility.

Drax Group: The Greenwasher?

Drax operates the UK’s largest biomass plant but faces growing scrutiny. Environmental groups claim it emits more CO2 than any other UK facility while receiving billions in green subsidies. Ofgem fined it for reporting errors in 2024.

It does not serve households directly but profits massively from public funds. Its claims of carbon neutrality are increasingly seen as greenwashing.

Shell Energy: Oil Legacy, Retail Mediocrity

Shell’s UK retail arm has had a quiet run, but its parent company has not. Shell plc paid negative tax in the UK in 2024 due to subsidies and depreciation allowances. Although Shell Energy supplies renewable tariffs, its trust scores remain middling, and campaigners continue to target its fossil fuel legacy.

Final Verdict: Who Can You Trust?

According to watchdogs and surveys, the most ethical suppliers currently include Octopus and EDF. E.ON and ScottishPower fall in the middle. At the bottom are British Gas, OVO, and Drax, all of which have been caught prioritising profit over people or the planet.

If ethics, environmental responsibility, and fair pricing matter to you, these rankings offer a starting point for switching energy suppliers. Your bill is more than a number—it’s a vote for the kind of future you want to power.