EDF, a leading energy supplier, is committing £29 million to help its most vulnerable customers cope with energy bills during the upcoming winter season. This investment marks the third consecutive year of increased funding to support customers struggling with debt and in need of assistance to stay warm in their homes through initiatives like home insulation.
The energy company will be collaborating with various partners to provide financial help and explore solutions to keep customers warm. EDF’s successful debt-matching scheme, which cleared £1.1 million of debt in 2023, will be reinstated to aid those facing financial difficulties. Notably, 75% of customers supported through this scheme remained debt-free after 12 months. Additionally, over 380,000 EDF customers are eligible to claim the £150 Warm Home Discount payments.
Furthermore, EDF is partnering with organisations such as Citizens Advice Plymouth, IncomeMax, and Charis Grants to assist customers in reducing their debt burdens. Last winter alone, EDF’s partnerships supported 65,000 customers with various forms of aid, including debt advice, income maximisation, and energy efficiency recommendations. The Warm Winter Shop initiative also provided essential electric goods to a thousand customers.
Over the last decade, EDF has helped more than four million individuals through its partnerships and the Warm Home Discount programme. The company’s Managing Director of Customers, Philippe Commaret, emphasised the importance of ongoing support for customers facing rising energy costs. He called for a social tariff and advocated for increased access to UK Government insulation schemes to help alleviate financial burdens in the long term.
As part of its commitment to customer well-being, EDF has exceeded £40 million in additional spending beyond regulatory requirements to support customers during the ongoing energy crisis. The company has implemented various initiatives like rolling back standing charges for Warm Home Discount recipients and introducing competitive offers such as the EDF Ensure fixed-term tracker tariff.
To further assist customers, EDF has recently launched the Sunday Saver challenge, offering free electricity on Sundays for reduced energy usage during peak times in the week. With a focus on providing practical solutions to reduce energy bills and improve affordability, EDF’s efforts underscore its dedication to supporting customers in navigating the challenges of winter energy costs.