E.ON UK
Corporate brand
UnclaimedE.ON UK is the British energy business of Germany's E.ON SE, supplying electricity, gas and low-carbon energy services to households, small businesses and larger commercial customers.
Last updated October 14, 2026
Overview
E.ON UK is the United Kingdom operating business of German energy group E.ON SE. Its roots lie in Powergen, a generating company created in 1989 during the restructuring and privatisation of the British electricity industry. Powergen initially controlled a substantial share of the former Central Electricity Generating Board's generating capacity and later expanded through acquisitions in electricity distribution and retail supply. E.ON acquired Powergen in the early 2000s, and the British business progressively adopted the E.ON identity, with the principal Powergen and E.ON Energy brands being consolidated under the E.ON name during 2007. For much of its earlier history, E.ON UK was a vertically integrated utility. Its activities included power generation, electricity distribution in the Midlands, and the supply of electricity and gas to domestic and business customers. It also developed renewable generation, including Blyth Offshore Wind Farm in Northumberland, described as the UK's first offshore wind farm. The business later changed direction as European energy companies separated conventional generation and network assets from customer-facing supply and renewable activities. E.ON UK sold its Central Networks distribution business to Western Power Distribution in 2011, while its former fossil-fuel generation assets ultimately became associated with Uniper after E.ON's wider corporate restructuring. The company remains active in renewable generation, energy solutions and retail supply. Its UK structure includes E.ON Next, the customer-facing residential and small-business brand; npower Business Solutions, serving mid-market and large commercial customers; renewable and climate-related activities; information-technology and business-service functions; and central corporate operations. E.ON Next offers electricity and gas tariffs, including fixed, variable, dynamic and time-of-use products, as well as solar installations, battery storage, heat pumps, efficient boilers and electric-vehicle charging equipment. Its Next Drive tariff was reintroduced in 2023 for customers charging electric vehicles overnight. E.ON UK became substantially larger in retail supply after E.ON's European transaction involving Innogy and the acquisition of npower's UK business. Rather than maintaining the legacy npower consumer brand as its principal retail identity, E.ON developed E.ON Next as a new operating and customer-service organisation. The business adopted Octopus Energy Group's Kraken customer platform and migrated millions of former npower accounts onto the system in 2021, with the remaining E.ON customer base subsequently transferred. E.ON Next was also appointed by Ofgem to take on customers from several failed suppliers during the 2021 energy-market crisis, when high wholesale prices caused numerous smaller suppliers to exit the market. E.ON UK is therefore both a major energy retailer and a participant in the UK's transition toward electrification and lower-carbon energy. It supplies power through the national transmission and regional distribution infrastructure rather than owning the local distribution network in most areas. Its present positioning combines conventional electricity and gas supply with renewable generation, home-energy upgrades, electric-vehicle services, smart tariffs and energy-management solutions for businesses.
History
E.ON UK's history begins with Powergen, which was established as a wholly government-owned public limited company in 1989. It received approximately half of the generating capacity formerly controlled by the Central Electricity Generating Board. The British government sold 60% of Powergen to private investors in 1991 and disposed of the remaining 40% in March 1995. Sir Robert Malpas served as chairman from 1989 to 1991. Powergen expanded through acquisitions. In 1998 it bought East Midlands Electricity, a regional electricity company, adding both distribution and supply activities. In 2002 it acquired the supply business of TXU Energi. E.ON made an offer for Powergen in 2001, and the acquisition was completed in the early part of 2002. Powergen consequently became part of E.ON, the German energy group formed through the merger of VEBA and VIAG. The UK business became a subsidiary of E.ON and gradually moved from the Powergen identity to the E.ON identity. E.ON UK acquired Midlands Electricity's distribution network in 2004. That operation was combined with the distribution activities of East Midlands Electricity and rebranded Central Networks. The industrial and commercial retail business adopted the E.ON UK name in July 2004. A major 2007 marketing programme, titled “The wind of change,” promoted E.ON's renewable-energy direction and featured the developing Robin Rigg offshore wind farm. The consumer business also changed from Powergen's predominantly blue identity to E.ON's red branding. Powergen and E.ON Energy were formally consolidated under the E.ON name in late 2007. The company broadened its energy-services activities in the following years. It acquired CHN Group in 2008, adding heating services for builders, local authorities and housing associations, and completed the purchase of ABB's street-lighting project business in the same year. E.ON also operated or developed onshore and offshore wind farms, biomass plants and combined-heat-and-power facilities. Its renewable record included the development and operation of Blyth Offshore Wind Farm, an early UK offshore wind project. At the same time, E.ON's conventional generation attracted climate protests, including actions at Kingsnorth and Ratcliffe-on-Soar power stations in 2008 and 2009. The business underwent further restructuring in the 2010s. In January 2010 it announced the closure of the Rayleigh customer-service centre, affecting about 600 jobs. In March 2011 it sold Central Networks to Western Power Distribution, ending E.ON UK's ownership of that regional electricity-distribution network. In October 2012 E.ON and RWE sold Horizon Nuclear Power to Hitachi, each disposing of a 50% stake. E.ON UK subsequently closed its Ignite business, which had explored localised-generation products, and sold E.ON Home Energy Services through a management buyout in 2013. The next major transformation followed E.ON's European asset exchange with RWE and the related transfer of the UK npower retail business. After the proposed SSE-npower retail merger failed in 2018, E.ON became the effective owner of npower's UK retail operations. Rather than simply preserving the legacy brand, E.ON launched E.ON Next as a newly designed retail organisation for households and small and medium-sized businesses. It entered a strategic arrangement with Octopus Energy Group to use the Kraken customer-service and billing platform. In 2021 E.ON Next migrated roughly two million former npower customers onto the new platform and then continued transferring E.ON's legacy customers. It also became a supplier of last resort for customers of Hub Energy, ENSTROGA, Igloo Energy and Symbio Energy after those companies failed during the severe 2021 wholesale-energy-price crisis. The retail business now offers conventional and renewable-linked electricity and gas tariffs, smart and time-sensitive pricing, electric-vehicle charging, solar, batteries, heat pumps and other energy-efficiency services. E.ON UK also retains renewable-generation and commercial-energy activities, including npower Business Solutions. Its headquarters are at Westwood Business Park in Coventry. The company operates within the UK's regulated energy market and relies on regional distribution-network operators to maintain the local electricity infrastructure.
- 2023
Next Drive tariff reintroduced
[1]E.ON Next brought back a tariff offering lower overnight charging prices for electric-vehicle users.
- 2021
Large-scale customer migration completed in stages
[1]E.ON Next moved approximately two million former npower accounts to the Kraken-based platform and began the wider E.ON customer migration.
- 2019
E.ON Next created
[1]E.ON began developing E.ON Next as its new UK residential and small-business retail organisation after acquiring npower's UK retail business.
- 2012
Horizon Nuclear Power sold to Hitachi
[1]E.ON disposed of its half-share in Horizon Nuclear Power in a joint sale with RWE.
- 2011
Central Networks sold
[1]E.ON sold Central Networks to Western Power Distribution.
- 2007
Powergen and E.ON Energy brands consolidated
[1]The main UK consumer and energy brands adopted the E.ON identity, accompanied by a renewable-energy marketing campaign.
- 2004
Central Networks created
[1]E.ON combined Midlands and East Midlands distribution activities into Central Networks.
- 2002
Powergen becomes part of E.ON
[1]E.ON completed its acquisition of Powergen, bringing the UK business into the German energy group.
- 1998
East Midlands Electricity acquired
[1]Powergen acquired the regional electricity company East Midlands Electricity.
- 1995
Remaining Powergen stake sold
[1]The government sold the remaining 40% of Powergen in March.
Showing the 10 most recent.
Products and positioning
A large UK integrated energy-services provider focused on household and business supply, renewable generation, electrification and smart energy solutions.
Residential and small-business energy supply · 2019
E.ON Next electricity and gas
E.ON Next supplies electricity and gas to households and small and medium-sized businesses under fixed, variable, dynamic and time-of-use tariffs. The brand was created after E.ON's integration of the former npower retail business and is intended to provide a unified digital customer experience.
Electric-vehicle energy tariff · 2023
Next Drive
Next Drive is an electricity tariff aimed at electric-vehicle owners. Its proposition uses lower overnight prices to encourage customers to charge vehicles outside higher-demand periods, subject to the applicable tariff terms and market availability.
Onshore and offshore wind, biomass and combined heat and power
Renewable generation
E.ON UK has developed and operated renewable and lower-carbon generation assets, including onshore and offshore wind farms, biomass facilities and combined-heat-and-power plants. Its UK offshore activities include Blyth Offshore Wind Farm and Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm.
Energy-efficiency and electrification services
Home energy solutions
E.ON UK offers domestic energy technologies and installation services including solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, efficient boilers and home electric-vehicle chargers. These services extend the business beyond commodity supply into household electrification and energy management.
Commercial energy supply
npower Business Solutions
npower Business Solutions serves mid-market and large business customers with commercial energy supply and related services. It remains part of E.ON UK's broader UK business structure even though the consumer retail organisation principally uses the E.ON Next name.
Controversies
2009
Climate protest at Ratcliffe-on-Soar
Climate Camp protesters targeted Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in opposition to fossil-fuel generation and its environmental impacts.
2008
Climate protests at Kingsnorth power station
Climate activists held a protest camp at E.ON UK's Kingsnorth power station, objecting to coal generation and proposed expansion of fossil-fuel capacity.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007The wind of change
United Kingdom
E.ON launched a major advertising campaign highlighting renewable energy and the company's changing generation portfolio. The campaign used imagery associated with the Robin Rigg offshore wind farm and supported the wider transition from Powergen branding to E.ON branding.
Outcome. Helped establish E.ON as the principal UK consumer brand and connected the company with offshore wind and renewable-energy development.
- 2007Ellen MacArthur energy-efficiency campaign
United Kingdom
E.ON launched a campaign with sailor Ellen MacArthur to encourage businesses to improve energy efficiency, promoting business energy conservation alongside E.ON's broader sustainability messaging.
Outcome. Promoted business energy conservation alongside E.ON's broader sustainability messaging.
- 2006FA Cup sponsorship
England
E.ON became sponsor of the FA Cup under a four-year agreement, with the competition branded as The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON. The arrangement was later extended for a fifth year. It increased E.ON's visibility in English football, although the timing attracted criticism because it coincided with the announcement of the Rayleigh call-centre closure.
Outcome. Increased E.ON's visibility in English football, although the timing attracted criticism because it coincided with the announcement of the Rayleigh call-centre closure.
- 1989ITV National Weather sponsorship
United Kingdom
Powergen sponsored ITV National Weather from its launch in 1989. The sponsorship used weather-themed idents and later adapted the presentation to the E.ON brand after the 2007 rebrand. The sponsorship continued across the Powergen-to-E.ON transition and ended on 31 December 2007.
Outcome. The sponsorship continued across the Powergen-to-E.ON transition and ended on 31 December 2007.
Brand decisions
2023
Reintroduce Next DriveProduct launchBackground
Growing electric-vehicle adoption created demand for tariffs that align charging with lower-demand periods.
Action taken
E.ON Next reintroduced Next Drive with lower overnight charging prices for eligible electric-vehicle customers.
Aftermath
The offer strengthened E.ON UK's focus on home electrification and flexible electricity use.
2021
Migrate former npower customers to KrakenStrategyBackground
E.ON needed to integrate customers inherited through the npower acquisition into a new retail operating model.
Action taken
E.ON Next transferred approximately two million former npower customer accounts to the Kraken customer platform and proceeded with migration of legacy E.ON customers.
Aftermath
The migration was described by the company as one of the UK's largest and fastest customer migrations, while E.ON Next also took on customers from failed suppliers under Ofgem arrangements.
2019
Build E.ON Next after the npower transactionStrategyBackground
E.ON's acquisition of the UK npower retail business created a large legacy customer base and multiple inherited brands and systems.
Action taken
E.ON established E.ON Next as a new residential and small-business retail organisation and entered a strategic agreement to use Octopus Energy Group's Kraken platform.
Aftermath
The organisation became E.ON UK's main consumer-facing retail brand and supported a large-scale customer migration programme.
2012
Exit from Horizon Nuclear PowerM&ABackground
E.ON and RWE had jointly owned Horizon Nuclear Power, a proposed UK nuclear-development business.
Action taken
E.ON sold its 50% stake to Hitachi, while RWE sold its matching stake in the same transaction.
Aftermath
Hitachi became the owner of Horizon Nuclear Power; the combined reported transaction value for both 50% stakes was £696 million.
E.ON reported proceeds for its 50% stake. £348 million (2012)
2011
Sell Central NetworksM&ABackground
E.ON was restructuring its UK portfolio and reducing its direct ownership of electricity-distribution infrastructure.
Action taken
Central Networks was sold to PPL's UK subsidiary, Western Power Distribution.
Aftermath
E.ON UK continued as an energy supplier but no longer managed the former Central Networks distribution operation.
Reported transaction value. £3.5 billion (2011)
2004
Create Central NetworksStrategyBackground
E.ON owned distribution businesses associated with Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity.
Action taken
The distribution operations were combined and operated under the Central Networks name.
Aftermath
The network business was later sold to Western Power Distribution in 2011.
Recent events
- 2023
E.ON Next reintroduces Next Drive tariff[1]
Product launch · Pricing
E.ON Next reintroduced Next Drive, a tariff designed to provide lower overnight electricity prices for customers charging electric vehicles.
- 2021
E.ON Next migrates former npower customers[1]
Other
E.ON Next moved about two million former npower customer accounts onto a new customer platform based on Kraken Technologies, while beginning the wider migration of E.ON accounts.
- 2021
E.ON Next takes on customers from failed energy suppliers[1]
Regulation · Other
Ofgem appointed E.ON Next to supply customers previously served by Hub Energy, ENSTROGA, Igloo Energy and Symbio Energy after those suppliers ceased trading during the wholesale-price crisis.
- 2019
E.ON UK launches E.ON Next retail organisation[1]
M&A · Product launch
Following the acquisition of npower's UK retail activities, E.ON began creating E.ON Next as a new customer-facing retail organisation intended to replace fragmented legacy operations and brands.
- 2012
E.ON and RWE sell Horizon Nuclear Power to Hitachi[1]
M&A
E.ON sold its 50% interest in Horizon Nuclear Power to Hitachi. RWE sold its matching interest in the same transaction, transferring the proposed UK nuclear-development venture to Hitachi.
- 2011
E.ON UK sells Central Networks to Western Power Distribution[1]
M&A
E.ON UK sold its Midlands electricity-distribution business, Central Networks, to the UK subsidiary of PPL, Western Power Distribution, as part of the group's restructuring away from network ownership.
- 2010
E.ON UK announces Rayleigh customer-service-centre closure[1]
Other · Leadership change
E.ON UK announced the closure of its Rayleigh customer-service centre and the loss of approximately 600 jobs. The announcement was brought forward after details were reported locally and attracted criticism in the context of the company's reported profitability.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/eon-uk · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled