So Energy

SO Energy is a UK based renewable energy supplier. Launched in November 2015 with the stated  principals of "simplicity, honesty and great value", it has grown steadily to become a medium sized energy supplier focussed on renewable energy. Today, the group’s stated mission is to “help customers achieve net zero by providing great value renewable energy solutions with simple, clear, outstanding service”.

But who are SO Energy? What do they do and what do they stand for? Are their tariffs renewable and price competitive? And what about their customer service ratings? In this article we’ll aim to answer those questions and more.

How to contact SO Energy

Firstly, how do you contact SO Energy if you have a customer services query or want to make a complaint. There are 3 ways in which you can do this.

Via chat

This is probably the easiest way. Use the Chat with Us link on their online Help Centre.

Chat is available Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm

By phone

0330 111 5050

Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm

By message

Use the online form on their contact us page.

This is mainly targeted at existing customers, but you can submit a query without entering an account number. The service operates Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm

For complaints you can use any of the communication channels mentioned above.

SO Energy Tariffs

In keeping with one of its original founding principals, simplicity, SO Energy does have a very simple tariff offering. Indeed, it currently offers just 2 tariffs.

Its standard variable tariff is called So Flex and is available for customers paying either by monthly direct debit or quarterly on receipt of bill.

In addition to that, SO Energy offer a 1 year fixed tariff which comes with an exit penalty. In the past, they have also dabbled with 2 year fixed tariffs from time to time and, we suspect, may do so in the future. All electricity tariffs are backed by 100% renewable electricity.

It is worth pointing out that SO Energy does not supply prepayment meter customers and indeed, has never done so.

The list, and cost, of all current SO Energy tariffs is shown in the Table below.

Who owns SO Energy?

SO Energy, like many energy start-ups, began life as an independent energy supplier looking to change and simplify the energy market. Initially funded by its founders, school friends Simon Oscroft and Charlie Davies, together with friends and family, it then took on investment from private equity and industry group CFP Energy Limited to pursue its dream of building an energy company centred on renewable energy and helping customers reduce their environmental impact.

However, the significant market and financial challenges posed by the energy crisis, essentially forced SO Energy to merge its business interests with another UK energy supplier, ESB Energy, in August 2021. Although that route allowed it to survive the crisis that killed off over 20 of its competitors, and to keep its brand identity, it necessarily resulted in SO Energy giving up its independence and becoming part of a larger integrated electricity group.

Today SO Energy is ultimately owned by multi-billion pound Irish energy giant, ESB (aka Electricity Supply Board), the company that dominates the Irish energy markets with a 40% share of the electricity supply market and a 24% share of the gas supply market. ESB is, in turn, majority-owned by the Irish Government (96.9%) with the remaining 3.1% held by employees (via the trustees of an Employee Share Ownership Plan).

In between the operating company, SO Energy Trading Limited, and the ultimate parent company, sit 3 holding companies;

• SO Energy Limited
• ESB Retail GB Limited and
• ESB Group (UK) Limited

    The co-founders, Simon and Charlie retain a minority stake of 10%, in ESB Retail GB Limited, between them. In addition, they hold board and senior executive positions at the SO Energy with Simon as Interim CEO and Charlie as Interim COO. Furthermore, their interest in deferred shares means that, subject to performance conditions which are not publicly disclosed, they have the ability to rebuild their combined holding to 24%. As such, they have strong incentives to continue with original their mission. We wish them luck.    

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What is the SO Energy fuel mix?

Any electricity that we use is generated from a combination of different primary fuels such as gas, nuclear, coal and renewable sources (wind, hydro and the sun). Energy suppliers buy the electricity that they sell to you from energy generators. Generators in turn produce that electricity from different primary fuel sources. The proportion of each primary fuel bought and sold by the energy supplier makes up that supplier’s fuel mix.

Shown below is the SO Energy fuel mix for the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 compared to the GB average.

True to its aspiration of being a renewable energy supplier, SO Energy purchases it electricity solely from renewable energy sources.

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