Co-op Energy

Co-op Energy says its purpose is to build a fairer, more sustainable energy market. 

Its gas and electricity tariffs are supplied by Octopus Energy, which also provides customer service and support.  

As part of Octopus, Co-op Energy supplies 100% renewable electricity and offers a Community Power tariff, which sources energy from small-scale community generation projects across the UK.

Customers can earn membership points, which are turned into vouchers to spend in Co-op shops or on other Co-op services.

Use our tool to compare energy prices if you're looking for a new tariff.

Co-op Energy score 

We combine the results of our customer survey with an in-depth assessment of companies’ behind-the-scenes practices and policies to give you a comprehensive view.

Take a look at our table below to see our score breakdown for Co-op Energy:

Here's how Co-op Energy's customer and policy assessments break down:

Find out how Co-op Energy compares with other energy companies – click to see our full results of the best and worst energy companies.

Which? verdict on Co-op Energy

• Pros: Did reasonably well in our customer survey; provides great support for those who need it
• Cons: Could do more to handle complaints better

Co-op Energy customer review

Based on customer feedback, Co-op Energy achieved joint 8th place out of 17 energy companies rated by 11,945 members of the public in the annual Which? energy company customer satisfaction survey.

It scored 73%, behind its partner firm, Octopus, which came third in the customer rankings with 79%.

It received decent three-star scores from its customers for most of the aspects of service we rated. It fell down a little with only two-star ratings for customer communications, and how usefully it communicates about national energy price changes. 

Despite the middling ratings for some measures, comments from most customers reflected a positive experience overall. 

One happy customer said: 'Co-op Energy has been clear and easy to deal with. Customer service is responsive and polite, billing is accurate, and I’ve found managing my account online really straightforward'. 

There were a couple of criticisms of how long it can take to resolve issues, with one survey respondent noting that: 'Sometimes it takes too long to get through to someone for help'.

Co-op Energy customer service

Co-op Energy customers were fairly happy with its customer service, rating it three stars. Only our Which? Recommended Providers – 100 Green, E (Gas & Electricity), Octopus and Sainsbury's Energy – received a higher, four-star rating. 

Co-op Energy common issues and complaints

In our survey, a fairly high proportion of Co-op Energy customers told us they had experienced at least one issue over the last year. The most common issues were a new energy meter having to be installed (23%), electric or gas supplies being cut off (16%), and problems with a refund (14%). 

Overall, 15% of customers had felt the need to make a formal complaint to Co-op Energy. 

Co-op Energy supplier assessment

In September-November 2025 we looked at five aspects of suppliers' business practices and procedures. Examples of some criteria within each category are shown below:

• Complaints – how many complaints suppliers get and how quickly they resolve them
  
• Contacting your supplier – including how and when you can get in touch, call waiting times, and the quality of self-service help online
• Help for customers who need it – including those in vulnerable situations, those who use prepayment meters, those who need materials in languages besides English, and web accessibility 
• Smart meters – including performance against 2024 smart meter targets and the proportion of customers' smart meters actually operating in smart mode
• Switching – how well suppliers handle switching.

Along with Octopus, which is its supplier, Co-op Energy got the joint second-highest overall score in this assessment, and received the maximum points for how it supports customers who need it. It performed well across the board in the areas we analysed, such as digital accessibility, support for alternative languages, and support for deaf and blind customers. 

It didn't score so well for how it handles complaints though, only scoring just above average for this. And its performance in our smart meter assessment was a lacklustre five out of ten. 

Can you join Co-op Energy with a prepayment meter?

Yes, as Co-op Energy customers are supplied by Octopus Energy they can join the supplier with a prepayment meter.

• Smart prepayment meter customers can top up online or via an app, or at PayPoint outlets. Traditional prepayment meter customers can top up at PayPoint or Payzone outlets.
• You can get £10 of emergency credit if you run out, which you pay back next time you top up. 
• Smart meter users and those with traditional prepayment electricity meters can also get 'friendly credit', which means you won't be cut off if you run out of credit between 4pm and 10am Monday to Friday or on weekends and bank holidays.

How sustainable is Co-op Energy?

Sustainability credentials are important when choosing an energy supplier for two thirds of those responsible for choosing their provider. That’s according to our online survey of 3,000 UK adults in August 2024. 

So we factor in a range of sustainability criteria in our Eco Provider assessment. 

Here's how Co-op Energy fared:

• Proportion of renewable electricity sold to customers: 100%. 
• Doesn't generate renewable electricity; however its partner company Octopus Energy, which supplies gas and electricity, does.
• Doesn't offer time-of-use tariffs. 
• Its Community Power tariff is powered by community-run renewable electricity projects, such as solar panels on roofs of wind turbines in farmland. Any profits go towards local initiatives. Co-op Energy and Octopus put £10 per new customer into their Powering Communities Fund.
• Installs solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps, insulation and EV chargers via Octopus Energy Services. 

Find out more about the differences between energy companies’ renewable electricity, and find out how we assessed energy suppliers for sustainability. 

Based on information supplied by companies in August 2024 and their most recent published fuel mixes, where available. 

Making your home more energy efficient will save money on your bills in the long term and lower your carbon footprint. Get started with our guides to home energy efficiency.