Proactive Investors - Energy providers British Gas, Scottish Power and OVO energy are revealed to have been the worst perpetrators of installing prepayment meters in 2022, government figures revealed.
Prepayment meters, a pay-as-you-go service for utility bills, were banned from being installed after it was found British Gas had been breaking into vulnerable households to install the devices.
Throughout 2022, more than 94,000 prepayment meters were installed under warrant, the government data highlighted.
British Gas contributed to 25,000 of these installations, followed closely by Iberdrola-owned Scottish Power which installed 24,300 – the worst offender considering its smaller customer base.
“Today’s figures give a clear and horrifying picture of just how widespread the forced installation of prepayment meters had become, with last year seeing an average of over 7,500 force-fitted a month,” said Grant Shapps, Energy Security secretary.
OVO Energy was also a large contributor, installing more than 16,800 prepayment meters over 2022, the figures indicated.
In comparison providers, Octopus, Good Energy, Ecotricity and Tru Energy installed less than 300 meters combined throughout last year.
Ofgem announced in March that the ban will remain in place until a new code of practice is agreed upon with the companies.
“The stress, anxiety and hardship often caused by forced prepayment meter installations cannot be overestimated," said Gillian Cooper, head of energy policy at Citizens Advice.
Shapps has called for support for the mistreated customers, advising suppliers to help victims access the more than 2mln unclaimed vouchers that are part of the government's energy bills support scheme.
Over 2022, Centrica (LON:CNA) – the owner of British Gas – saw its share price rise more than 25% and is up by more than 12% in 2023.