Opus Energy 2022: Plans, Prices and Reviews

Who is Opus Energy?

Opus Energy is a UK energy supplier who supplies gas and electricity to businesses in the UK. With all their operations online, they primarily work with small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) as well as the retail industry and housing associations; priding themselves on their commitment to 100% renewable energy sources.

They were initially founded with the goal of being innovators within the energy market and, as a result, they’ve created an online-only business that makes it simple to monitor and manage energy usage online. This not only creates cost savings that can be passed on to their customers, but it also allows them to reduce the impact of their own business on the environment, supporting their mission towards sustainability. Opus’ current goal is to become carbon negative by 2030, and are the world’s first energy company to commit to this – with many aiming for ‘carbon neutrality’, rather than a negative carbon impact within the next decade.

While they’ve not yet broken into ‘big six’ territory, they are now one of the largest independent energy providers in the UK, responsible for 1.5% of UK energy consumption. Some of their more well-known business clients include the high-street retailer White Stuff and broadband and TV providers, Virgin Media.

Who owns Opus Energy?

Drax Developments Limited, an arm of the Drax Group, owns Opus Energy having bought the company in February 2017. Originally, Opus was founded and owned by Charlie Crossley Cooke, who served as the Managing Director for 15 years, before resigning from his positions as Director accompanying the sale of the company in 2017.

How many customers does Opus Energy have?

Opus reports that they currently ‘energise’ over 368,000 business premises with their 100% renewable electricity and energy services.

Is Opus Energy any good?

Although their customer feedback is mixed (we’ll come on to that shortly!), there are a range of perks for Opus Energy customers, including:

• 100% renewable energy
• Experienced business energy account managers
• All accounts are managed online under the ‘My Opus Energy’ portal
• A mixture of fixed-fee and variable tariffs
• Free smart meter installations, even if you move premises.

However, Opus does have some drawbacks. Some of their weak spots are:

• Only supplies energy to businesses
• Frequently poor public customer feedback
• Issues with overestimating bills for non-metered customers.

Opus Energy customer reviews

As a business energy supplier, Opus Energy isn’t eligible to take part in the annual Which? Energy Survey or other common energy awards that ask consumers for feedback on their experiences with their suppliers.

However, we can look at their Trustpilot page to find some Opus Energy reviews!

With an overall review score of 2.1 from 1,333 customer reviews, Opus are marked as ‘Poor’ based on their customer feedback to date. Out of all the 68 UK energy suppliers on Trustpilot, Opus Energy comes in position 67 in rank.

Trustpilot stats show that 68% of their ratings are bad, and 3% poor, with the majority of their reviews coming organically rather than by invitation. However, they do reply to negative reviews within 24 hours and have replied to 93% of their negative reviews, showing a commitment to dispute resolution and listening to customer feedback.

Their positive reviews mention…

• Great customer service by staff members
• Competitive rates and pricing
• Renewable energy tariffs.

While their negative reviews frequently include…

• Issues with the billing and customer service responses
• Long wait times to speak to someone on the phone, up to 30 minutes or with calls going completely unanswered
• Difficulties with the switchover process, both when joining Opus and when leaving
• Reports of estimates being used to generate bills, even with smart meters installed.

Opus Energy pricing

Is Opus Energy cheap?

Opus Energy deals directly with customers for their pricing, so it’s not simple to tell how competitive their pricing is. However, with Switch-plan, we can help you compare prices and find the best tariffs for you and your business. Give us a call on 0330 818 6223 to get started.

Do Opus Energy do business energy tariffs?

Yes, since their inception, Opus Energy exclusively provides energy to businesses rather than residential customers. As a result, all of their tariffs and rates are applicable for businesses only. Opus works with some big UK brands such as White Stuff, a large high-street retailer and Virgin Media, who provide broadband, TV, phone and mobile services to customers in the UK.

Switching your business energy to Opus

Here at Switch Plan, we only deal with residential energy switching at the moment. But this may change in the future, so keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime, we’d be delighted to support you with your residential energy. To get started with your home energy, give us a call on 0330 818 6223.

Opus Energy Tariffs

While Opus Energy tariffs aren’t published on their website (as they deal directly with business customers), we do have some insight on their two main tariffs: Opus Advance and Opus Advance Plus.

The Opus Advance tariff is the standard, and includes:

• Energy supplied by renewable generators in the UK and Europe
• A reduction in carbon dioxide, by choosing renewable power
• Digital certificates, social icons and buttons to showcase your sustainability as a business
• A range of partner perks from reductions in business insurance costs to 50% off lights and smart controls
• Certifiable energy.

There is also an Opus Advance Plus tariff, which is similar to the standard package, but also includes:

• The option to support their 2,300 British generators, for a premium.

Opus Energy fuel mix

Opus Energy’s latest report covering electricity supplied between April 2019 – March 2020 showed a very simple breakdown of their energy breakdown: 100% renewables.

Of their renewable energy resources, the breakdown is as follows:

1. 48% from wind power
2. 24% from solar energy sources
3. 16% from bioenergy
4. The final 9% from hydro.

What other products & services does Opus Energy provide?

As well as selling energy to business customers, Opus Energy also buys energy. Under the two schemes devised by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), you will be paid for your contribution to cutting carbon emissions by generating renewable energy. Via Opus, you can sell your energy to the Grid who promise quick payments, and they’re currently particularly keen on renewable energy from wind, hydro, solar and anaerobic digestion methods.

Smaller energy generators will be eligible for Feed-In tariffs (rewarded for every MWh you create) where the rate is set every three months or so by Ofgem.

For bigger suppliers, they can sell energy via Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) which don’t have a standing rate, but are charged at the current market rate for energy.

How to contact Opus Energy?

Opus Energy customer services are available from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They have a range for customers to get in touch, as below. Opus commits to answering calls within 15 seconds, so calling them is your best bet of gaining a quick response! And, if your enquiry isn’t urgent, you can write to them here:

Customer Care
Opus Energy House
8-10 The Lakes
Northampton
NN4 7YD

Opus Energy phone number

Opus Energy has a range of departments for customers to call when they need help, depending on the support they need. They’re all open weekdays 9am to 5pm, and vary from freephone to chargeable numbers – so double check before dialing! Remember that numbers that start in 0843 or 0845 are charged at 7p per minute.

Opus Energy email address

Customers can send an email to Opus Energy on contactus@opusenergy.com, where they will aim to respond within a few working days.

Similar to their phone numbers, there are also individual email addresses for each department, depending on customer requirements. These can be found below:

Opus Energy emergency number

If you’re a customer of Opus who is experiencing a power cut or an electrical emergency, you can call 105 from your phone to speak to your local electricity distribution company. Opus explains that although they are electricity suppliers, it’s the local distribution company that is responsible for power cuts, as well as your electrical wires and cables.

If there’s a gas emergency, you can call 0800 111 999 to speak to the National Grid Emergency Service, who will be able to help. Remember to turn your supply off as soon as you smell gas or know you have a CO2 leak to secure your premises.

Opus Energy complaints

If you’re a customer of Opus Energy with a complaint, you can call their customer services phone number, or email them on customercare@opusenergy.com, where they promise to respond within five working days with a resolution or an update on your complaint.

You can also put your complaint in writing, and send it to:

Customer Care
Opus Energy House
8-10 The Lakes
Northampton
NN4 7YD

They commit to following up with actions to resolve customer complaints, and as part of that, will offer an explanation, an apology or awarding compensation if this is appropriate.

Read more about business energy suppliers below:

• British Gas Business
• Haven Power
• Npower Business
• Pozitive Energy

FAQ

Does Opus Energy install smart meters?

Yes, Opus Energy installs smart meters for all their customers. Smart meters have a range of customer benefits including automated meter readings, keeping customer energy bills accurate and transparent. Customers can also view their live energy usage each day, and take steps to reduce this as required.

Does Opus Energy do residential tariffs?

No, Opus Energy deals exclusively with UK business and commercial customers. 

Can I sell my energy to Opus?

Yes, if you generate renewable electricity, you can sell your energy to the Grid via Opus, who promise to get their energy partners the best possible price with quick payments. They’re particularly interested in wind, hydro, solar and anaerobic digestion sources of energy. 

How to move business premises with Opus Energy?

If you want to move business premises and take Opus with you, fill in and submit this Move-Out Form, and they’ll get you sorted with your final bill at your current premises. You can then fill in the Move-In Form to get started again with the first meter reading at your new address. Once the form has been submitted (including final meter readings), Opus will be in touch to take care of the rest.

To close your account with Opus, simply fill in and submit just the Move-Out Form moving out form to start the process, with your final meter reading.