Copyright falkirkherald
Tomato Energy has collapsed, affecting around 15,300 households and 8,400 business customersOfgem has stepped in under its supplier of last resort scheme to protect energy supply and credit balancesCustomers are urged not to switch suppliers until a new provider is appointed in the coming daysTake a meter reading now to ensure an accurate final bill and smooth transfer to the new supplierEnergy price cap protections remain in place, ensuring households won’t face sudden price hikes Thousands of UK households and businesses have been left in uncertainty after the collapse of a Basingstoke-based energy supplier. Tomato Energy has ceased trading, prompting the energy regulator Ofgem to step in and protect customers. The company supplied around 15,300 homes and 8,400 business customers, all of whom will now be moved to a new provider under Ofgem’s supplier of last resort scheme. This safety net ensures that customers’ energy supply will continue uninterrupted, and that any credit balances or funds already paid into accounts will be protected. Tomato Energy’s collapse is the latest in a series of smaller suppliers to exit the market in recent years, as ongoing volatility in wholesale prices continues to squeeze smaller firms with limited financial resilience. But what - if anything - do Tomato customers need to do next? And what should they do if they are worried about the future of their energy supply? Here is everything you need to know about it. What should Tomato Energy customers do now? While the news of Tomato Energy’s demise may sound worrying, affected customers are being urged not to attempt to switch supplier for now. Ofgem will appoint a new energy company to take over the company’s accounts in the coming days, and the new supplier will contact customers directly with details about tariffs, billing, and any credit transfers. In the meantime, households and businesses should take a meter reading as soon as possible, which will help ensure an accurate final bill from Tomato Energy and a smooth handover to the new supplier. There is no need to cancel direct debits or make any changes to your account in the meantime. Once the new supplier has been confirmed, customers will be free to shop around for a better deal if they wish. Crucially, household customers will remain protected by the energy price cap, which limits what suppliers can charge for standard variable tariffs. Ofgem said this safeguard will continue automatically when customers are moved to the new provider. Further updates will be published on Ofgem’s website once the replacement supplier has been appointed.
