BES Utilities

BES Utilities
Private
Industry Utilities
Founded 2002 (Business Energy Solutions Ltd)
Headquarters Fleetwood, Lancashire, United Kingdom
Key people
 Andy Pilley
Michelle Davidson
Products Commercial Electricity
Commercial Gas
Telecom
Website www.besutilities.co.uk

BES Utilities is a UK-based, independently owned group of companies, comprising Business Energy Solutions Ltd, BES Commercial Electricity Ltd and BES Telecom Ltd.[1] With offices based in Fleetwood, Lancashire, BES Utilities provides commercial electricity, gas, and business telecommunications in the United Kingdom.[2]

History

Business Energy Solutions Ltd (trading as BES Commercial Gas) was established in 2002, BES Commercial Electricity Ltd was founded in 2009, and BES Telecom was founded in 2013. All three operating units are headquartered in Fleetwood, Lancashire. In 2013, the three companies were combined to form the BES Utilities group of companies.

In October 2013, BES Utilities announced that BES Commercial Electricity would set a price freeze on its electricity tariffs until spring 2014. In April 2014, it announced that BES Commercial Gas would also freeze its tariffs until winter 2014. BES would extend the electricity price freeze until October 2014.[3]

In April 2015, BES Commercial Electricity announced it would cut its prices by 5%.[4]

BES Utilities partnered with Blackpool Illuminations, an annual lights festival in Lancashire, to provide electricity for the lights for free in 2014 and at a discounted rate in 2015. The expected value of the deal exceeded £100,000, making BES the largest contributor to the lights in the last ten years.[5][6]

BES Water

In November 2015, BES Utilities applied for a water services license with the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.[7]

Controversy

BES Utilities fell under criticism by consumer organisation Energywatch in 2008 for employing contract terms that purportedly took advantage of customers.[8] A subsequent government investigation by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) found that BES failed to explain customer contract details and, in some cases, wrongly blocked customers from switching suppliers. The Ofgem investigation resulted in a fine of £980,000.[9]

Smart Meters

BES Commercial Electricity uses smart meters, which record energy consumption and send data back for remote reporting.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Visit the BES Utilities website". BES Utilities.
  2. ↑ "Growing firm set to create 40 new jobs". Blackpool Gazette. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "BES freeze their prices". BES Commercial Electricity.
  4. ↑ "BES Electricity price reduction 5%". BES Commercial Electricity.
  5. ↑ "BES Commercial Electricity supplies the Blackpool Illuminations". Blackpool Council. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Blackpool Illuminations are powered by BES Commercial Electricity". Veooz. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "BES Water Application". BES Utilities.
  8. ↑ "The Telegraph - "Watchdog criticises firms' transfer policies"". The Telegraph.
  9. ↑ "BES Ofgem investigation". Ofgem.
  10. ↑ "G4S Utility Services gets Smart in Lancashire". 14 November 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
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