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LONDON, Jan. 21 (Reuters) – A record number of UK customers in the energy sector changed hands last year. One in five customers has changed, data from the Energy UK industrial group revealed on Monday.
The six major UK energy companies have lost customers in recent years, under the pressure of smaller and more agile rivals who often offer cheaper offers.
The data did not indicate which companies were winning or losing customers, but indicated that 30% of the changes were made to small or medium sized businesses.
A record 5.9 million customers switched to 2018, up from 5.5 million in 2017, according to the data.
An Ofgem price regulator came into effect this year which, according to some suppliers, could hinder competition and lead to reduced switching rates.
"My hope remains that with the recent introduction of price caps, we do not see this element of competition undermining and switching levels are falling," said Energy UK's chief executive, Lawrence Slade.
Consumer groups say that the best way to ensure that people pay the lowest possible price is still to seek an agreement.
The top six British energy providers are British Gas, Centrica, SSE, E.ON, EDF Energy, Innogy's Npower and Iberdrola's Scottish Power. (Report by Susanna Twidale, edited by Jan Harvey)
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