Four more energy suppliers in the UK have collapsed amid the crisis enveloping the sector as a result of surging wholesale gas prices.
From yesterday (03/11), Omni Energy, Zebra Power, MA Energy and Milton Keynes-based Ampoweruk have ceased training.
The energy suppliers served a total of 21,400 domestic and 2,300 non-domestic customers.
Their demise takes the number of energy companies that have gone bust since the start of September to 18.
Ampoweruk, based in Furzton, said in a statement on its website that it had ceased trading after finding itself in an "unsustainable situation", had 600 domestic and around 2,000 non-domestic customers.
Ampoweruk's statement reads: "Due to the energy crisis in the UK, we find ourselves in an unsustainable situation and regrettably, Ampoweruk Limited is forced to make the difficult decision to cease trading.
"Ofgem, the energy regulator, is appointing a new supplier for its customers.
"Customers need not worry, their supplies are secure and funds that domestic customers have paid into their accounts will be protected if they are in credit.
"Ofgem’s advice is not to switch, but to wait until they appoint a new supplier for you. This will help make sure that the process of handing customers over to a new supplier and honouring domestic customers’ credit balances, is as hassle-free as possible for customers."
The crisis has come about after wholesale gas prices surged to record prices and, though prices have since eased, they remain several times higher than typical levels seen over recent years.
It means that in many cases, suppliers have been having to buy energy on wholesale markets which they are then contracted to sell on at a lower price to their customers.
More than two million customers have been affected by the company collapses so far.
