As the 20th energy supplier goes out of business, bill shock will affect thousands of schools and businesses.

  • CNG Energy is the 20th provider to go under since August, amid rising energy prices 
  • 41,000 customers from businesses affected, including restaurants, hotels and schools 
  • They could be required to pay thousands more annually without consumer protections










After yesterday’s collapse of their energy company, thousands of small businesses and schools are now facing a shock in their bills. 

CNG Energy, which supplies 41,000 business customers, is the 20th provider that has failed since August in the ongoing crisis due to soaring energy prices. 

Its customers – which include schools, restaurants and hotels – could be left paying thousands of pounds more every year because they do not get the same consumer protections as households when an energy firm fails. 

CNG Energy is the 20th provider to fail since August amid soaring energy prices, leaving its 41,000 business customers facing an uncertain winter

CNG Energy, the 20th provider, has been forced to fail by rising energy prices since August. This leaves its 41,000 customers in uncertain times.

If they have credit on their energy accounts, commercial customers are not guaranteed to get their money back. They are not also protected by the official price limit. 

It means their new supplier will be free to charge a higher market price – meaning they face massive increases in bills. 

CNG’s collapse comes days after four smaller firms went bust, leaving almost 24,000 customers in the lurch. 

And it comes less than a week after Bulb, Britain’s seventh largest energy firm, revealed it was in rescue talks. 

In a statement CNG said: ‘We’re very sad to say that CNG Energy Ltd is ceasing to trade… 

‘The global energy crisis and extremely high wholesale energy costs have affected many suppliers already and unfortunately CNG is the next casualty. 

‘We have tried and exhausted all options to remain in business.’ 

Last night, Ofgem, energy regulator, assured customers that it would switch them over as soon as possible to a different supplier. 

Retail director Neil Lawrence added: ‘We know this is a worrying time for many people and news of a supplier going out of business can be unsettling. 

‘I want to reassure affected customers that they do not need to worry. Under our safety net we’ll make sure your energy supplies continue. 

‘You can rely on your energy supply as normal. We will update you when we have chosen a new supplier.’

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