EDF strikes deal to move its 5 million customers onto Octopus Energy Group’s Kraken platform
- EDF licences leading entech platform from Octopus Energy Group’s Kraken Technologies to build further on its industry-leading customer service
- Five million UK customer accounts to be migrated onto Kraken starting in 2023
Octopus Energy Group’s Kraken Technologies and EDF, the fourth largest UK energy supplier and Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity, have signed a deal to build on the EDF’s industry-leading customer service[1] by licensing the cutting-edge Kraken energy technology platform
EDF is the third licensee to work with Kraken Technologies in the UK, following successful migrations to the platform from Good Energy and E.ON. Four of the UK’s leading energy suppliers - including three of the largest - will now be using Kraken Technologies’ innovative platform Kraken, meaning it is licensed to serve over 20 million clients across the globe.
The licensing agreement will see EDF use Kraken to manage its five million customer accounts in the UK and further develop its home heat and electric vehicle offerings. The migration of EDF’s customers will start in the summer of 2023, with a target of project completion within 18 months.
Following implementation, EDF employees will access the state-of-the-art, intuitive and easily adaptable Kraken platform to further improve their already excellent customer service and drive new ways of working across customer operations. The platform also allows EDF to adapt to future energy requirements as it helps customers tackle climate change – whether they are switching to an electric car or installing a heat pump.
Kraken is designed to drive the smart grid and greatly improve the efficiency of energy suppliers’ customer service operations. Developed and tested by Kraken Technologies, a subsidiary of Octopus Energy Group, Kraken is the next generation digital energy platform. Connecting all parts of the energy supply chain from renewable energy generation to customer service and billing, Kraken is unlocking efficiencies in customer service so far unseen in energy retail.
Investment into innovative technology is a positive sign for the UK energy industry. The recent spike in wholesale gas prices has highlighted the need for investment in low carbon electricity and technology to end our reliance on fossil fuel imports and shows the need for reliable, long-term suppliers who will help their customers reach Net Zero.
Philippe Commaret, Managing Director for Customers at EDF, said:
“We’re determined to operate a strong, sustainable and diverse retail business that can deliver a great experience to our employees and customers. Whilst our existing systems continue to serve us well, Kraken’s dynamic platform will grow with us, adapting quickly to the rapid changes happening in the energy industry as we accelerate action to tackle climate change.
“For our customers, this investment will allow us to offer our great services even more efficiently to even more customers and is our commitment to them that we are not going anywhere. We are here for the long-term, helping Britain achieve Net Zero.”
Greg Jackson, CEO and founder of Octopus Energy Group, comments:
“We’re ecstatic to have another Kraken client in the form of EDF, whose customer service and dedication to renewable and low carbon energy has already made it one of the most forward-thinking companies in the sector. Combining the company’s knowledge and customer base with Kraken’s connectedness across the whole retail energy landscape will enhance experiences for customers and EDF customer service teams alike.
“We developed Kraken to make it easier and cheaper for energy companies to offer green energy and better customer service, while still making it quick and easy to use by the team. EDF’s customers have always been a priority to them, and now the brilliant customer experience they enjoyed can be built upon with efficient and innovative energy technology, and an expanded offering that really drives the renewable energy revolution.
“If more energy companies take the same approach as EDF, it can only be better for both people and the planet.”
Octopus Energy Group also recently announced a major investment from Generation Investment Management, a company chaired and co-founded by Al Gore, to expand their mission and the Kraken platform globally, in a deal that valued the UK entech pioneer at $4.6 billion.
[1] EDF was rated 4th out of 24 energy suppliers by Citizens Advice in its latest star rating and 1st of the large suppliers, as defined by Ofgem: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-a-better-energy-deal/compare-domestic-energy-suppliers-customer-service1/
Notes to editors
Press contacts:
EDF Media Team
media@edfenergy.com | 24-hour press line: +44 (0)1452 652233
Octopus Energy
Dominic Bellamy - PR Manager
dominic.bellamy@octoenergy.com | +44 7572900987
About EDF
EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission electric future and tackling climate change. We are Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity – from our eight nuclear power stations and more than thirty wind farms – meeting around one-fifth of the country’s demand. In addition to being one of the largest suppliers to British homes and businesses, we’re a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping our customers become more energy efficient and independent.
We continue to invest in the UK’s low carbon energy infrastructure, constructing the first new nuclear power station in a generation at Hinkley Point C, leading the development of plans for Sizewell C in Suffolk, and construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage.
EDF is part of EDF Group, the world’s biggest electricity generator. In the UK we employ around 11,000 people.
About Kraken Technologies
Kraken Technologies offers a best-in-class end-to-end platform for energy supply, and is operating in the UK, Japan, US, Germany, Spain, New Zealand and Australia. Kraken’s proprietary platform is contracted to serve over 20 million energy accounts across the globe through licensees and its partnership with Octopus Energy, where it is responsible for the acquisition and management of over 3.1 million retail customers and over 25,000 business customers (the largest of which is Arsenal FC).
Based on advanced data and machine learning capabilities, Kraken automates much of the energy supply chain to allow outstanding service and efficiency as the world transitions to a decentralised, decarbonised energy system.
Kraken Technologies is part of energy technology B-corp Octopus Energy Group, and was developed to enable select third parties to take advantage of the technologies developed by Octopus Energy. It has already been licensed by major global players including Origin Energy, E.ON, Tokyo Gas and EDF.
About Octopus Energy Group
Octopus Energy Group was launched in 2016 with a vision of using technology to make the green energy revolution affordable whilst transforming customer experiences. It is part of Octopus Group, which is a certified BCorp. Octopus’s domestic energy arm already serves 3.1 million customers with cheaper greener power, through Octopus Energy, M&S Energy, Affect Energy, Ebico, London Power and Co-op Energy.
Octopus Energy Generation is Europe’s largest investor in solar energy, managing a £3.4bn portfolio of renewable energy assets throughout the continent.
In September 2021, Octopus Energy Group was valued at $4.6 billion after taking $600 million investment from Generation Investment Management co-founded and chaired by Al Gore, closing its third major investment round since launching to the market. With operations in the US, Japan, Germany, Spain, New Zealand and Australia, Octopus Energy Group's mission to drive the affordable green revolution is going global.