Last Updated on March 17, 2026
British Gas started supplying Rebel Energy’s 90,000 customers from 6 April 2025 after the company went bust and ceased trading.
For tens of thousands of households and businesses, the change happened without warning. One day, bills were coming from Rebel Energy, the next, British Gas was handling them. Situations like this can sound alarming, but the UK energy system has safeguards built in for exactly this type of collapse. When a supplier fails, you’ll not be left without gas or electricity, and you’ll not have to scramble for a new deal overnight.
Instead, Ofgem steps in to appoint a replacement supplier with the capacity to take over accounts quickly and keep energy flowing. In this case, British Gas was chosen to absorb around 84,000 domestic customers and roughly 6,000 non-domestic accounts. The supplier moved them onto its books as part of the regulated safety net. It helps protect consumers when smaller suppliers leave the market.
For customers, the most pressing questions are usually practical rather than political. Will the supply stay on? Is account credit safe? Do you need to switch suppliers or wait? What tariff will you get from British Gas? Understanding what happened to Rebel Energy and why British Gas had to step in can help you determine what you should expect.
Key Takeaways on British Gas Taking on 90,000 Customers from Rebel Energy:
- British Gas began supplying around 90,000 Rebel Energy customers from 6 April 2025 after the supplier ceased trading.
- Ofgem appointed British Gas through the Supplier of Last Resort process to keep gas and electricity flowing without interruption.
- Domestic customers should continue to receive energy as normal while their account transfers to the new supplier.
- Credit balances for household customers remain protected and should move to the new account once the transfer completes.
- Customers do not need to switch suppliers immediately and should wait until British Gas finishes setting up the new account.
- Once the transfer is complete, customers are free to compare tariffs and move to another supplier if they wish.
- Supplier failures are less common than during the energy crisis, but smaller energy firms can still struggle with costs and strict financial rules.
What Happened to Rebel Energy?
Rebel Energy stopped trading in early April 2025. The company’s exit triggered Ofgem’s safety procedures. They help protect households and businesses when an energy provider can no longer operate. Rather than customers having to arrange a new deal themselves, the regulator moved quickly to appoint British Gas to take over supply and manage the accounts.
Customers were automatically moved as part of the Supplier of Last Resort process. This means gas and electricity continued without interruption while the transfer took place.
Rebel Energy launched in 2019 and positioned itself as a smaller, independent supplier. Its focus was on renewable energy and competitive pricing. Like many companies that entered the market in the late 2010s, it aimed to challenge larger providers by offering simpler tariffs and greener energy options. However, operating with a smaller financial buffer made it more vulnerable when market conditions became difficult.
Why the Supplier Went Bust
The collapse did not come from a single problem, but from several pressures building at the same time. Although wholesale energy prices are lower than they were during the peak of the energy crisis, they remain unpredictable. Smaller suppliers have less protection against sudden increases. Buying energy in advance requires strong cash reserves, something many newer companies struggle to maintain.
Customer affordability has added further strain. With household bills remaining high compared with pre-crisis levels, suppliers have faced limits on how much they can charge, while still needing to cover the cost of buying energy on the wholesale market. This has squeezed margins across the sector, with the impact felt most sharply by smaller firms.
Access to funding has become another challenge. Since the wave of supplier failures earlier in the decade, lenders and investors have been more cautious about backing energy companies without strong balance sheets. Firms that cannot secure additional capital can quickly run into difficulty if costs rise or customer numbers fall.
Regulation has tightened as well. Ofgem introduced stricter financial rules after the energy crisis to reduce the risk of further collapses, including requirements around customer credit balances and hedging practices. These changes help to protect consumers, but they have made it harder for smaller suppliers to operate without significant financial backing.
Why British Gas Took Over the Customers
When an energy supplier stops trading, a system known as the Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) process protects customers. It allows the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) to appoint a new provider to take over accounts quickly, keeping gas and electricity flowing while they carry out the transfer in the background.
The aim is to prevent households from staying without a supply or starting to look for a new contract at short notice. Once a supplier fails, Ofgem invites other licensed energy companies to bid to take on the customers. The regulator reviews those bids and selects the company judged most capable of handling the transfer safely and with the least disruption.
Under these rules, domestic customer credit balances remain protected, and supply continues as normal while the new supplier moves the accounts across. Customers usually fall onto the new supplier’s standard tariff at first, with the option to switch later after transfer completion.
The Supplier of Last Resort system came into play frequently during the energy crisis, when dozens of suppliers collapsed as wholesale gas prices surged. Although failures are now less common, the same safety net remains in place, and it activates whenever a provider exits the market.
Why Did Ofgem Choose British Gas?
Ofgem chose British Gas to take over around 90,000 accounts after deciding the company had the capacity to absorb the customers quickly and manage the transfer without affecting supply. Larger suppliers are a good choice in these situations because they have the infrastructure, staff, and financial backing needed to handle a sudden increase in accounts.
British Gas has taken on customers from failed suppliers before, and its size makes it one of the few providers able to manage large transfers at short notice. Bringing the accounts onto an existing national system reduces the risk of billing delays, supply problems, or administrative errors during the changeover.
The move from Rebel Energy for affected households and businesses was automatic, meaning you didn’t need to contact British Gas straight away. For most people, the process happens quietly in the background.
Timeline from Collapse to Transfer to British Gas
When an energy supplier fails, the changeover to a new provider usually happens quickly, and the key steps often take place over several days.
1 April 2025 — Rebel Energy Ceases Trading
Rebel Energy confirmed at the start of April 2025 that it could no longer continue operating. After the company’s exit from the market, Ofgem stepped in to make sure customers would not lose their gas or electricity while arranging a replacement supplier.
At this point, customers did not need to take action. Affected consumers must wait through the Supplier of Last Resort process rather than trying to switch immediately.
2 To 5 April 2025 — Ofgem Begins the Supplier of Last Resort Process
After the collapse, Ofgem invited licensed energy suppliers to take part in the process to take over Rebel Energy’s customers. The regulator reviewed bids from companies willing to absorb the accounts and assessed which provider could handle the transfer with the least risk of disruption.
This stage happens behind the scenes, but it is an important part of the protection system, as the chosen supplier must show it can manage billing, customer service, and energy supply for thousands of new accounts at short notice.
6 April 2025 — British Gas Begins Supplying Customers
From 6 April 2025, British Gas started supplying gas and electricity to former Rebel Energy customers. Supply continued without interruption, and households did not need to contact the new supplier straight away during the transfer of account details.
Customers need to take a meter reading around the time of the changeover. This helps ensure accurate billing calculation after setting up the new account.
7 April 2025 — Ofgem Confirms British Gas Appointment
Ofgem formally announced appointing British Gas as the Supplier of Last Resort for Rebel Energy customers. The domestic credit balances remain protected, and customers move onto British Gas systems automatically.
Once the transfer is complete, customers are free to switch to another supplier if they wish. However, it’s better to wait until the full setup of the new account before starting a switch.
Steps That Ensure A Smooth Transfer to British Gas
Acting too quickly can sometimes cause delays, so the safest approach is to let the transfer complete before making any decisions about switching.
1. Take A Meter Reading
Taking a meter reading as close as possible to the transfer date helps make sure your final Rebel Energy bill and your first British Gas bill are correct. This is especially useful if you submit readings manually or have a traditional meter rather than a smart meter.
Keeping a note or photo of the reading gives you a record in case there is any disagreement about usage later on.
2. Avoid Switching Immediately
Customers should not switch suppliers straight away. British Gas will set up a new account automatically and contact you with details after completing the transfer.
Trying to move to another supplier before the account is fully in place can slow the process down or lead to billing confusion, as your details may still be moving between systems.
3. Keep Copies of Bills and Account Information
If you still have access to your Rebel Energy account, it is worth saving recent bills, statements, and any information showing your balance. This can help if you need to check for a correct credit transfer or if there are questions about past payments.
Most transfers happen without problems, but having your own records makes it easier to resolve any issues.
4. Check Your Tariff Once the New Account is Active
After customers move to a new supplier, they normally start on the new supplier’s standard tariff at first. The energy price cap usually covers this tariff for domestic customers.
Once the setup of your British Gas account is complete, you are free to compare deals and switch to another supplier if you find a better option. There are normally no exit fees after a supplier failure, but it is still best to wait for a complete transfer before starting a switch.
Is Energy Supply Interrupted?
Customers often worry that a supplier’s collapse means the gas or electricity will stop. In practice, supply almost always continues without any break.
Energy still flows through the same national network, so a change of supplier does not affect the physical delivery of gas or electricity. Your meter, pipes, and cables stay the same, and your home remains connected as normal. During the Rebel Energy collapse, customers continued using energy in the usual way while their accounts moved to British Gas.
The change mainly affected billing and customer support, not the actual supply. You may notice updates to your account, such as new payment details or a different tariff name, but these changes happen after the transfer has been completed. Until then, energy use carries on as it did before the company stopped trading.
If you have a smart meter or prepayment meter, it should keep working during the change. In most cases, you can continue topping up or submitting readings without doing anything different.
What Happens to Credit, Direct Debits, and Bills?
Credit balances, payments, and billing do not disappear, but the way they are handled can change during the transfer.
Credit Balances
Domestic customer credit remains protected when a supplier fails. If your Rebel Energy account was in credit, the balance should move to your new British Gas account once the transfer finishes. This process can take time. The new supplier must receive account details from the failed company before applying the balance.
You may not see the credit straight away, but it should appear after the accounts are fully set up. Business customers may have different rules, so they may need to wait for instructions from the administrator or the new supplier.
Direct Debits
Most customers do not need to cancel their direct debit immediately. Payments linked to the old supplier normally stop once the company leaves the market. British Gas will contact you with new payment details after your account is created. You can then set up a new direct debit if you choose to stay with the tariff offered.
If you are unsure whether a payment will be taken, check your bank account and wait for confirmation from the new supplier before making changes.
Outstanding Bills or Debt
If you owed money to Rebel Energy, the balance does not disappear. You may still need to pay what you owe, even though the company has stopped trading.
In some cases, the debt is handled by the administrator managing the failed supplier. In others, the new supplier may collect the balance as part of the transfer. Keep copies of old bills and statements until the final balance has been confirmed. This makes it easier to check that the amount charged is correct.
Can Customers Switch Away From British Gas?
Customers who moved to British Gas do not have to stay with the new supplier. The transfer happens automatically, but you can choose another deal once your new account is ready.
You should wait until British Gas finishes setting up your account before starting a switch. Moving too early can cause delays, since your details may still be transferring between systems.
After the account becomes active, you are free to compare tariffs and change suppliers if you find a better price. Customers transferred after a supplier failure are not locked into a long contract, so exit fees usually do not apply.
Most people are placed on the supplier’s standard tariff at first. This tariff follows the energy price cap for domestic customers, which limits how much suppliers can charge on variable deals. Once your account is live, you can move to another tariff with British Gas or switch to a different provider.
If you plan to switch, check your balance first. Make sure any credit has been added to your new account and that your opening meter reading looks correct. Sorting these details early can help avoid problems later.
What Happens to Prepayment Meter Customers?
Prepayment customers usually stay connected when a supplier fails. Your meter will continue working, and you should still be able to top up in the normal way while the transfer takes place.
If you use a key or card meter, you can keep using the same payment method at first. Shops and PayPoint locations should continue to accept your top-ups until the new supplier finishes setting up your account.
Smart prepayment meters normally keep running without any change. In some cases, the new supplier may update the meter remotely after the transfer is complete. You do not need to do anything unless the supplier contacts you.
After your account moves to British Gas, you may receive a new key, card, or instructions for future payments. Follow the guidance sent by the supplier, and keep any receipts from recent top-ups until your balance shows correctly.
If your meter stops accepting credit or shows an error, contact the new supplier as soon as possible. Problems are uncommon, but they can happen during account transfers, especially with older meters.
Final Thoughts on British Gas Taking Over 90,000 Customers from Rebel Energy
Rebel Energy’s collapse shows how quickly things can change in the UK energy market, even after the worst of the energy crisis has passed. Smaller suppliers still face high costs, strict financial rules, and customers who are under pressure to keep bills down. When those pressures build, some companies cannot continue trading.
For customers, the key point is that the system is designed to prevent disruption. Supply continues, credit balances remain protected for households, and accounts move to a new supplier without the need for urgent action. The transfer to British Gas followed the same process used in previous supplier failures, with most changes happening in the background.
Once your new account is fully set up, you can decide whether to stay with the replacement supplier or move to another deal. Taking a meter reading, checking your balance, and waiting until the transfer completes will help avoid problems later.
Supplier failures are less common than they were a few years ago, but they can still happen. Knowing how the process works makes the situation far less worrying if your energy company suddenly leaves the market.
FAQs on British Gas Taking Over 90,000 Customers from Rebel Energy
How Do I Get My Money Back From Rebel Energy?
If your Rebel Energy account was in credit, the balance should transfer to your new supplier once the account move is complete. Domestic customer credit is protected when a supplier fails. You may need to wait while account details are verified, but the new supplier should apply the credit after the transfer finishes. If the balance does not appear, contact the new supplier with copies of your previous bills or statements.
Why Did Rebel Energy Go Bust?
Rebel Energy stopped trading after facing financial pressure from rising wholesale energy costs, tighter regulations, and limited access to funding. Smaller suppliers often operate with narrow margins, which makes it harder to absorb sudden price increases or changes in market conditions. These factors combined made it difficult for the company to continue operating.
Who Has Taken Over From Rebel Energy?
British Gas took over supply for Rebel Energy customers after an appointment by the energy regulator, Ofgem. The transfer happened through the Supplier of Last Resort process, which moves customers to a new supplier automatically when a company leaves the market. Around 90,000 customers moved to British Gas as part of this process.
Do I Need To Pay My Rebel Energy Bill?
Yes. You must pay any outstanding balance. Even though the company has stopped trading, debts do not disappear. In some cases, the administrator managing the failed supplier handles the balance. In other cases, the new supplier may collect the amount as part of the transfer. Keep your old bills until the final balance is confirmed.
Where Is Rebel Energy Based?
Rebel Energy Supply Ltd was a UK-based energy supplier. The company operated in Great Britain and provided gas and electricity to domestic and business customers before it ceased trading in April 2025.
Can I Still Contact Rebel Energy?
You usually cannot contact the supplier in the normal way after it stops trading. Once a company goes bust, administrators take control of the business. Any updates about balances, refunds, or claims are normally handled by the administrator or the new supplier rather than the original company.