Watch out Big Six, there’s a new voice in town

American energy supplier Hudson Energy is opening a new commercial electricity supply business in the UK in late July with plans to make Britain its springboard for entering the European […]

American energy supplier Hudson Energy is opening a new commercial electricity supply business in the UK in late July with plans to make Britain its springboard for entering the European market, ELN can reveal.

Serving SMEs and smaller industrial and commercial (I&C) firms, the new player on Britain’s energy scene, traditionally dominated by the Big Six, is looking to secure a “niche” in the market, says Hudson Energy UK’s Sales and Marketing Director, Steve Fitzsimmons.

Unlike its rivals, Hudson’s “scaled back” model won’t be cluttered by all the add-ons of energy services, he suggested, as it will sell energy solely through brokers.

Mr Fitzsimmons, who has worked for EDF Energy, British Gas and npower in the past, told ELN: “The Big Six are what I’d describe as full services players. They cover residential, I&C, SME, energy services, metering. We are going to be an I&C supplier, to SMEs and smaller I&C customers.

“It doesn’t mean in future we want to be a small supplier in a small niche. We may look at leveraging our size [with the US side of the business], to bring the US business model over. But for a couple of years we’ll be an I&C business.” The well-established arm of the American firm also serves residential customers.

Parent company Just Energy, a major Canadian residential gas and electricity retailer, has fronted the cash for the UK launch.

Hudson Energy UK expects operations to be in full swing by early August.

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