Who is my energy supplier?
More people in Britain are switching energy suppliers, which is great! But how can you switch suppliers if you're not sure who your gas or electricity supplier is? Luckily, there are easy ways of finding out.
Key points
- Your energy supplier sorts out tariffs and your energy bills
- Your energy network distributor looks after the equipment that makes up the energy network in your local area, such as power lines and gas pipes
- The Energy Networks Association has an online tool you can use to find out who your energy network distributor
- You need to know who your energy supplier is if you want to switch to another tariff – this isn’t the same company as your energy network distributor
Find your gas supplier
You can search the national database of gas suppliers online by entering your address at Find My Supplier – as well as telling you who supplies your gas, you’ll also see your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) and who your gas network distributor is.
If you don’t want to search the database yourself, you can call any energy supplier and ask them to find out for you.
Find your electricity supplier
There’s a national database that lists the electricity supplier for each address too.
Some – but not all – electricity network distributors make this database available online but only for addresses in the areas they cover. For example, Western Power Distribution can only show you who your supplier is if you live in the Midlands, South West or South Wales.
Check the table below to see if your area’s electricity network distributor provides access to the database.
If your electricity network distributor doesn’t give you access to the database, you can contact any energy supplier to search the database for you instead.
Who is my energy network distributor?
Energy network distribution companies own and operate the equipment that makes up the gas or electricity network in your area, such as the cables, power lines, substations and pipes.
You can contact your energy network distributor if there’s a power cut, or if you’re reliant on electrical medical equipment and need to be included on its priority services register.
If you’re not sure who your network distributor is, take a look at the below:
Who is my gas network distributor?
The Energy Networks Association has a handy tool which uses your postcode to tell you the gas network distributor in your area, and how to contact them – although, unlike Find My Supplier, it won’t tell you who your gas supplier is.
If you'd prefer to use the phone, contact the Meter Point Administration Service on 0870 608 1524. They'll also tell you what your MPRN is, a number that is unique to your property and doesn't change, even if you switch your gas supplier.
Who is my electricity network distributor?
This is a little more complicated than finding your gas distributor, as there are 14 electricity network distributors covering different regions of the UK.
The regional supplier phone numbers are below, but you'll need to know which region your property falls under. To find this out, use a search like the one mentioned above by the Energy Networks Association.
| Area | Electricity network distributor | Phone number | Online search for electricity supplier? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Scotland and Southern England | Scottish and Southern Energy | 0800 048 3516 | Yes |
| Central and Southern Scotland | SP Energy Networks | 0800 092 9290 | No, but it does have an enquiry form |
| Merseyside, Cheshire, North Shropshire, North Wales | SP Energy Networks | 0800 001 5400 | No, but it does have an enquiry form |
| Midlands, South West and South Wales Western Power Distribution | Western Power Distribution | 0800 096 3080 | Yes |
| North West England | Electricity Northwest | 0800 195 4141 | Yes |
| North East England | Northern Powergrid | 0800 011 3332 | No |
| London, South East and East England | UK Power Networks | 0800 029 4285 | Yes |
| Northern Ireland | Northern Ireland Electricity | 03457 643 643 | No |
Be aware that while the electricity network distributors above cover these general regions, there may be a few areas within that region that are covered by another network distributor. So, it's worth double checking exactly who your energy distributor is by using an online search or calling the Meter Point Administration Service (0870 608 1524), before you start contacting area-specific distributors.
If you’re not sure which region you come under, use the Energy Networks Association postcode checker tool to help you find out.
Switching energy suppliers
Once you’ve found out your energy plan and cost, you can start comparing energy deals to see if you want to switch.
You’ll need to tell us the name of the tariff you’re on and how much energy you use. You can find your usage on a recent energy bill, but if you’ve recently moved to a new home just give us your best estimate.
When comparing tariffs, weigh up the supplier’s standing charge, any exit fees which might apply to you and the energy cost per kWh to work out if you could save money with another supplier.
It can take up to 21 days to switch, but your energy supply won’t be interrupted. Your new energy supplier sorts it all out for you.