OVO Energy is a fully licensed, Ofgem-regulated UK energy supplier and one of the country's largest following its acquisition of SSE's retail arm. However, it has accumulated a significant volume of customer complaints, billing errors, and was fined £8.9 million by Ofgem in 2021 for overcharging customers on default tariffs. It remains a legitimate operator but consumers should monitor bills carefully and document all communications.
OVO Energy was founded in 2009 in Bristol and grew rapidly as an independent challenger to the Big Six energy suppliers. In 2020 it acquired SSE's retail energy business, making it one of the UK's largest domestic energy suppliers with millions of customers. It holds a valid Ofgem supply licence for both gas and electricity and is unambiguously a real, operating company — not a scam or fly-by-night operator.
The more significant concerns are operational rather than existential. In 2021, Ofgem fined OVO £8.9 million after finding it had overcharged customers on deemed and out-of-contract tariffs — a serious regulatory breach affecting vulnerable and disengaged customers. Its Trustpilot profile reflects sustained dissatisfaction, with recurring themes around incorrect billing, unexplained direct debit increases, and difficulty reaching customer service. Citizens Advice complaint data has also placed OVO poorly relative to competitors in recent years.
UK consumers considering or currently with OVO should take meter readings regularly, scrutinise direct debit amounts against actual usage, and keep written records of all interactions. If a billing dispute arises, escalate formally in writing; if unresolved within eight weeks, refer to the Energy Ombudsman at no cost. OVO is not a supplier to avoid outright, but it demands more active account management than better-rated alternatives such as Octopus Energy.