Northern Gas and Power review

Northern Gas and Power review summary

Northern Gas and Power is a UK business energy consultancy and broker focused on commercial energy procurement, energy management, targeting and reduction. It is not simply an online switching site. Its proposition is more consultancy-led, with services covering fixed contracts, flexible contracts, business electricity, business gas, group energy buying, AMR smart metering, half-hourly electricity, renewable energy and corporate power purchase agreements.

The company says it works with 20,000 clients across three continents and describes itself as a large energy consultancy by customer volume and managed TWhs. It is part of Global Procurement Group, and its website lists related companies including BusinessEnergyQuotes.com, ClearVUE.Business and Energies France.

Northern Gas and Power is most likely to suit medium-sized, large, multi-site or higher-consumption businesses that want account-managed energy procurement rather than a basic online comparison. Smaller businesses may still use the group’s online comparison service, BusinessEnergyQuotes.com, which is presented as a no-obligation price comparison service for small and medium-sized businesses.

Quick verdict

Category	Rating	Notes
Energy procurement	4.5/5	Strong range of procurement services, including fixed, flexible, group buying and renewable energy
Energy management	4.4/5	Offers audits, virtual energy manager support, carbon services, training and project support
Suitability for SMEs	3.8/5	Smaller businesses may be better served through BusinessEnergyQuotes.com
Suitability for larger users	4.6/5	Stronger fit for multi-site, high-usage and more complex energy requirements
Transparency	4.0/5	FAQ explains commission models and states a maximum commission of £0.04/kWh
Customer reviews	4.5/5	Strong Trustpilot profile, though some reviews mention contract-management concerns
Overall rating	4.4/5	A strong consultancy-led broker, especially for businesses needing more than a simple switch

What is Northern Gas and Power?

Northern Gas & Power Ltd is an active UK private limited company registered at Companies House under company number 08430003. Companies House lists the registered office as Baltic Place East Tower, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3AE, and shows the company was incorporated on 5 March 2013.

For business customers, Northern Gas and Power is best understood as a business energy broker and consultancy rather than a gas or electricity supplier. It helps businesses analyse requirements, compare procurement options and arrange contracts with energy suppliers. The supply contract itself will normally be with the selected supplier, not with Northern Gas and Power.

What does Northern Gas and Power offer?

Northern Gas and Power’s services are broader than simple business energy switching. Its procurement page lists multiple service areas, including business electricity, business gas, corporate power purchase agreements, fixed contracts, flexible contracts, group energy buying, AMR smart metering, half-hour electricity and renewable energy.

Service	What it means	Best suited to
Business electricity	Procurement support for commercial electricity contracts	SMEs, multi-site businesses and larger electricity users
Business gas	Commercial gas procurement	Hospitality, manufacturing, care, leisure and heated premises
Fixed contracts	Locking in a unit rate for a defined period	Businesses wanting budget certainty
Flexible contracts	Procurement strategy that may allow buying energy in stages	Higher-usage businesses with more complex needs
Group energy buying	Combining demand or using buying groups	Businesses seeking purchasing leverage
Half-hourly electricity	Support for larger electricity users with HH metering	Larger sites and high-consumption users
AMR smart metering	Automated meter reading and usage visibility	Businesses wanting better consumption data
Renewable energy	Renewable tariff or energy procurement support	Businesses with sustainability objectives
Corporate power purchase agreements	Long-term power-purchase options	Larger organisations with energy and carbon strategies
Energy management	Audits, monitoring, carbon, training and project support	Businesses wanting to reduce consumption, not just switch supplier

How Northern Gas and Power works

Northern Gas and Power describes itself as an independent energy broker that tracks market fluctuations and analyses trends to help customers choose energy contracts over suitable periods with suitable suppliers. It says it has relationships with UK tier 1 and tier 2 energy suppliers and gives customers a dedicated account manager to deal with suppliers on their behalf.

A typical process may involve reviewing bills, assessing current contracts, analysing usage data, identifying supplier options, recommending a procurement route and supporting the contract process. For larger or multi-site customers, this can be more involved than a standard comparison-site switch.

Step	What happens
Initial review	Current contracts, bills, meters and usage are assessed
Requirement analysis	The business’s consumption pattern, sites and contract needs are reviewed
Market comparison	Northern Gas and Power compares supplier options and contract structures
Recommendation	The customer receives a proposed contract route or procurement strategy
Contract support	The selected supplier contract is arranged
Account management	A dedicated contact may support supplier queries and future renewals
Energy management	Additional services may help reduce consumption and carbon emissions

Energy management services

Northern Gas and Power also offers energy management and consultancy services. Its energy management page lists compliance support for ESOS, SECR and ISO 50001, as well as energy audits, virtual energy manager support, part-time energy manager services, carbon and sustainability advice, training, project and siteworks support, and renewable energy projects.

Energy management service	What it can involve
Energy audits	Reviewing where, when and how energy is used
Virtual energy manager	Using metering and monitoring data to identify waste, peaks and trends
Part-time energy manager	Providing energy management support without hiring internally
Carbon and sustainability	Carbon footprinting, carbon-neutral advice and sustainability strategy
Energy training	Staff awareness, communications training and energy champion support
Project support	Advice and project management for efficiency and energy installations
Renewable energy	Solar PV, biomass, heat pumps, wind and other feasibility support

This is where Northern Gas and Power is different from a basic switching broker. It may be more relevant where the business wants to lower consumption, improve reporting, manage carbon obligations or develop a more structured energy strategy.

Northern Gas and Power fees and commission

Northern Gas and Power’s FAQ is unusually direct about fees. It states that its services are not free to the customer, that it normally earns commission only if it successfully brokers an energy contract, and that the commission is usually included within the energy unit rate in the energy contract. It also says commission depends on the kWh volume consumed and states that the maximum commission it will charge is £0.04 per kWh.

The FAQ also says Northern Gas and Power can use a shared-savings model, where an agreed percentage of any savings is paid to the business, or charge specific project and consultancy work on a fixed-fee or time-and-expense basis.

Fee model	How it works	What to check
Commission in the unit rate	Commission is included in the p/kWh energy rate	Ask for the exact commission in p/kWh and total pounds
Shared savings	Northern Gas and Power receives an agreed percentage of savings	Check how savings are calculated and against what baseline
Fixed fee	A fixed project or consultancy charge is agreed	Confirm scope, deliverables and exclusions
Time and expense	Consultancy work is charged based on time and costs	Ask for day rates, caps and approval processes

Example commission calculation

Because Northern Gas and Power states that commission may be included within the unit rate and can depend on kWh consumed, it is important to calculate the annual and contract-length cost.

Annual energy usage	0.5p/kWh commission	1p/kWh commission	2p/kWh commission	4p/kWh commission
10,000 kWh	£50 per year	£100 per year	£200 per year	£400 per year
25,000 kWh	£125 per year	£250 per year	£500 per year	£1,000 per year
50,000 kWh	£250 per year	£500 per year	£1,000 per year	£2,000 per year
100,000 kWh	£500 per year	£1,000 per year	£2,000 per year	£4,000 per year
250,000 kWh	£1,250 per year	£2,500 per year	£5,000 per year	£10,000 per year
500,000 kWh	£2,500 per year	£5,000 per year	£10,000 per year	£20,000 per year

A 1p/kWh commission on 250,000 kWh of annual usage costs £2,500 per year, or £7,500 over a three-year contract. A 4p/kWh commission on the same usage would cost £10,000 per year, or £30,000 over three years.

That does not automatically mean the broker is poor value. A good consultant can still save money through better timing, contract structure, tendering, bill checks and energy reduction. However, the commission should be compared against the measurable value delivered.

Broker fee rules for business customers

Broker fee transparency has improved across the UK non-domestic energy market. Ofgem confirmed that, for contracts signed on or from 1 October 2024, suppliers must ensure a contract’s principal terms clearly display broker fees for all non-domestic customers, and suppliers must make this information available upon request.

This means a business using Northern Gas and Power should ask to see the broker fee in the principal terms before signing. The fee should be understood both as a p/kWh amount and as an estimated total cost across the full contract term.

Northern Gas and Power customer reviews

Northern Gas and Power has a strong Trustpilot profile. At the time of writing, Trustpilot lists the company with 2,939 reviews and a displayed score of 4.7 out of 5. Trustpilot’s AI-generated review summary says recent reviewers overwhelmingly had a good experience, with praise for staff, professionalism, efficiency, response times and pricing.

However, the same Trustpilot summary also notes concerns from some customers about contract management, including “blend and extend” schemes, unexpected high tariffs, unrenewed contracts, requests for contract recordings and lack of concrete proposals or pricing details after initial discussions.

Review theme	Positive signals	Caution points
Staff	Customers often praise helpful, professional advisers	Service may depend on the individual account manager
Pricing	Some reviewers mention competitive rates and savings	Savings should be checked against the full contract cost
Response times	Reviews often mention quick and efficient communication	Businesses should still require written confirmation
Account management	Some customers value long-term account support	Renewal and contract authority should be checked carefully
Contract management	Positive reviews mention support with supplier issues	Some negative review themes mention contract-management concerns

Trustpilot can be useful, but it should not be treated as proof that a broker quote is the best available deal. Businesses should still compare rates, standing charges, commission, contract length and supplier terms.

Code of practice

Northern Gas and Power publishes a code of practice stating that staff should identify themselves, avoid high-pressure sales techniques, provide annual estimates before contract signing, explain how estimates are calculated and make sure customers understand what they are signing before a supplier contract is agreed.

The code also says Northern Gas and Power uses letters of authority so it can negotiate with suppliers, and that the letter should make clear what the customer is giving permission to do.

This is important because a letter of authority can be limited or broad. Businesses should avoid giving authority to sign contracts unless they fully understand the rates, supplier, commission, contract length and approval process.

Pros and cons

Pros	Cons
Stronger consultancy proposition than basic switching sites	May be more complex than a small low-usage business needs
Covers fixed, flexible, renewable, half-hourly and group procurement	Commission can be included in the unit rate
Offers energy management, audits, compliance and sustainability support	Maximum stated commission of £0.04/kWh could be costly at high usage
Dedicated account manager model	Businesses should check written authority and renewal handling carefully
Strong Trustpilot rating and review volume	Trustpilot summary notes some contract-management concerns
Publishes a code of practice and complaints process	Not a gas or electricity supplier, so supplier service issues may still sit with the supplier
Energy Ombudsman lists Northern Gas and Power as a broker it can review disputes about	Ombudsman escalation usually requires a prior complaint and either eight weeks or deadlock

Is Northern Gas and Power regulated?

Northern Gas and Power is not regulated by Ofgem in the same way as an energy supplier. That is normal for energy brokers, although the wider broker market is moving towards stronger oversight. The UK government has set out plans for Ofgem to regulate third-party intermediaries such as energy brokers, including proposed principles, specific rules, registration requirements and enforcement powers.

The Energy Ombudsman lists Northern Gas And Power as an energy broker it can review disputes about. The listing names Ngp Utilities Ltd as the company, gives Northern Gas And Power as the trading name, shows active membership, and lists a start date of 1 December 2022.

Complaints and dispute resolution

Northern Gas and Power publishes a complaints procedure. It says complaints can be logged by online form, email, phone or letter. The page lists [email protected], telephone number +44 (0)3 300 300 800, and a postal address at Northern Gas and Power, 8th Floor, East Tower, Baltic Place, South Shore Road, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE8 3AE.

The procedure says Northern Gas and Power will acknowledge and record complaints within one working day, aim to provide an initial response where possible within 10 working days, and allow escalation to a senior member of its Compliance Team if the customer is unhappy with the initial outcome. It also says unresolved complaints may be taken to the Energy Ombudsman after eight weeks or after a final position, also known as a deadlock letter.

The Energy Ombudsman says it can help small businesses with energy broker disputes from 19 December 2024 if they meet eligibility criteria, including fewer than 50 employees and turnover or balance sheet thresholds, or annual electricity consumption of not more than 200,000 kWh, or annual gas consumption of not more than 500,000 kWh.

Who is Northern Gas and Power best for?

Northern Gas and Power is best suited to businesses that want a more managed, consultancy-led energy service.

Business type	Suitability	Why
Small shops and offices	Medium	May be useful, but a simpler comparison service may be enough
SMEs with rising energy spend	Medium to high	Account management and market advice may add value
Multi-site businesses	High	NGP says it offers end-to-end tendering, reporting and common end-date support for multi-site customers
High-usage businesses	High	Commission must be checked, but procurement expertise may be valuable
Half-hourly electricity users	High	Relevant for larger electricity users with more complex metering
Businesses needing energy audits	High	Energy management and audit services are available
Businesses with carbon reporting needs	High	NGP lists ESOS, SECR, ISO 50001 and carbon support
Businesses wanting renewable options	High	Procurement page includes renewable energy and corporate PPA services
Very small low-usage businesses	Medium to low	BusinessEnergyQuotes.com may be the simpler route

Northern Gas and Power’s FAQ says it supports multi-site customers with an end-to-end managed tendering service, supplier quote comparisons, reports, regular updates and attempts to consolidate sites into a common end date.

Who might need an alternative?

Northern Gas and Power may not be the best fit for every customer.

Situation	Why another option may help
Very small annual energy spend	A simple comparison site may be quicker
Need for fully online switching	BusinessEnergyQuotes.com, Bionic or Love Energy Savings may feel simpler
Preference for direct supplier quotes	Some businesses may want no broker involvement
Low tolerance for commission	Direct procurement or a fixed-fee consultant may be preferable
Simple one-meter premises	A full consultancy model may be more than is required
Existing contract dispute	It may be better to resolve the dispute before switching or renewing

Northern Gas and Power compared with other brokers

Broker	Best for	How Northern Gas and Power compares
Bionic	SME business energy and business essentials	Northern Gas and Power is more consultancy-led and better suited to complex energy needs
Love Energy Savings	Fast online energy comparison	Northern Gas and Power is less of a quick online switcher and more of an account-managed consultant
Utility Bidder	Energy, water and telecoms comparison	Utility Bidder has broader multi-utility comparison; NGP is stronger on energy procurement and management
Inenco	Large energy users and strategic procurement	Both suit larger users; Inenco may be more corporate-consultancy focused
Inspired PLC	Corporate procurement, risk and sustainability	Inspired may be stronger for formal procurement frameworks and risk strategy
Auditel	Cost, procurement and carbon reduction	Auditel may suit wider procurement and net zero work beyond energy contracts

What to check before signing through Northern Gas and Power

Before agreeing to a contract arranged through Northern Gas and Power, ask for the following in writing:

Check	Why it matters
Supplier name	Confirms who will actually provide the gas or electricity
Unit rate	Shows the p/kWh contract price
Standing charge	Important for total cost, especially for lower-usage meters
Contract length	Determines how long the business is locked in
Broker commission	Shows how Northern Gas and Power is paid
Total commission	Converts p/kWh commission into pounds over the full term
Contract type	Confirms whether the deal is fixed, flexible, pass-through or another structure
Letter of authority	Shows what NGP is authorised to do on behalf of the business
Renewal process	Reduces the risk of unwanted renewals or missed deadlines
Cancellation position	Business energy contracts are usually hard to exit early
Ombudsman route	Confirms where unresolved disputes can be escalated

Final verdict: Northern Gas and Power review

Northern Gas and Power is a strong choice for businesses that want more than a quick business energy price comparison. Its main strengths are procurement expertise, account management, supplier relationships, energy management services, carbon and compliance support, and its ability to support complex or multi-site energy needs.

The main caution is cost transparency. Northern Gas and Power’s own FAQ says its services are not free, that commission is usually included within the unit rate, and that the maximum commission it will charge is £0.04 per kWh. That makes it essential to ask for the broker fee in p/kWh and total pounds before signing.

For medium-sized, large, multi-site or higher-consumption businesses, Northern Gas and Power is well worth comparing with Inenco, Inspired PLC, Advantage Utilities and Auditel. For very small businesses wanting a fast online switch, a simpler comparison route such as BusinessEnergyQuotes.com, Bionic, Love Energy Savings or Utility Bidder may be easier.

FAQ