Brilliant Energy stops trading – what you need to know

The energy regulator Ofgem will choose a new supplier to take on Brilliant Energy's customers soon, and this supplier will contact these customers shortly after being appointed. Ofgem's advice is to sit tight and not try to switch during this period.

Customers who get their bills from Northumbria Energy are also supplied by Brilliant Energy under what's known as a white label arrangement – these customers are in the same boat as those who are with Brilliant Energy.

Brilliant Energy is the latest in a series of small suppliers to stop trading in the last year – others include Extra Energy and Spark Energy.

I'm a Brilliant Energy customer – what should I do?

If you're a Brilliant Energy customer, Ofgem's advice is:

• Do not switch to another energy supplier at this stage.

• Take a meter reading, ready for when your new supplier contacts you.

Ofgem says this will make the process of transferring customers over to a new supplier and paying back any outstanding credit balances as smooth as possible.

More information will follow from your new supplier once one has been appointed in the coming days.

I'm a Northumbria Energy customer – what should I do?

The guidance above also applies to Northumbria Energy customers.

Customers with Northumbria Energy had their supply provided by Brilliant Energy. Although the firm which operates under the name Northumbria Energy has not ceased trading, customers with the company are in practice in the same position as those with Brilliant Energy.

My account's in credit – what happens now? 

Your new supplier will pay back any outstanding credit you may have.

Once the regulator has appointed the new supplier, you will be contacted to explain how this will work. Ofgem says you should take a meter reading and a note of your balance, and wait for the new supplier to get in touch.

If you've switched or you're in the process of switching away from Brilliant Energy, any remaining credit is protected under Ofgem's safety net.

Will I keep my tariff – and will my bills go up?

This is likely to be up to the new supplier.

In the past, we've seen some suppliers honour existing tariffs when taking over from a supplier that's ceased trading – though not always.

Once the new supplier contacts you, check if the deal you are being offered is the cheapest available to you. You won't be charged exit fees if you decide to switch.

You can then use our Cheap Energy Club to find the cheapest tariff.

What does Ofgem say?

Ofgem's director for future retail markets Philippa Pickford said: "Our message to energy customers with Brilliant Energy is there is no need to worry, as under our safety net we will make sure your energy supplies are secure and your credit balance is protected.

"Ofgem will now choose a new supplier for you, ensuring you get the best deal possible. Whilst we're doing this, our advice is to 'sit tight' and don't switch. You can rely on your energy supply as normal. We will update you when we have chosen a new supplier, who will then get in touch about your new tariff.

"We have seen a number of supplier failures over the last year and our safety net procedures are working as they should to protect customers."