Asset Manager

French EDF Energy in talks to buy British So Energy as UK supply market consolidates. Quirino Mealha French-owned EDF Energy is one of a handful of parties negotiating with British So Energy's owners, Sky News reported, and faces at least one rival bidder whose identity has not been established. If EDF prevails in the auction, industry insiders expect the transaction to cover So Energy's customer base rather than the company as a whole. So Energy has roughly 300,000 household electricity customers and was founded back in 2015. Ireland's Electricity Supply Board took a controlling stake in 2021 and put the business under review this summer, appointing PwC to run the sale. ESB, the Irish parent company of So Energy, has been open about the process. "Our parent company, ESB, has initiated a process to evaluate potential divestment options for So Energy," a spokesperson for So Energy said in July adding that this followed a strategic review and that "ESB plans to focus on its core business." For EDF, the appeal is scale in a market where it has been losing ground. The company is among the big six suppliers that once dominated British energy, with three million customers and five million accounts, but now trails well behind Octopus Energy and Centrica-owned British Gas. Scottish Power finds itself in a similar position. Buying a customer book rather than a company outright is the cheaper route to that scale, adding accounts directly while avoiding the operational complexity of absorbing an entire business. The talks also come at an uncomfortable time for British households. Ofgem lifted the price cap by 4% to £1,723 per year for the autumn, meaning bills will climb just as the industry reshuffles itself. Meanwhile, government policy is pulling the other way as Andy Burnham used his first week as prime minister to announce that VAT would be scrapped from domestic energy bills, part of a broader push to tackle cost of living. No agreement has yet been reached between the parties.

EDF gives customers extra with launch of loyalty scheme, Flextras. Posted September 07, 2026 * EDF has launched its brand-new loyalty scheme, Flextras, rewarding users for being flexible with their electricity use * Customers will receive four hours of free electricity[1] when they sign-up, and the opportunity to earn up to 25 free hours a month * Exclusive perks include free electricity, tastecard membership, and more! EDF has launched its brand-new loyalty scheme 'Flextras' today, where members get extra for being flexible with their electricity usage, alongside access to a range of rewards and exclusive benefits. Available through the EDF app, Flextras brings together a range of customer benefits under one roof, helping households get more from their energy account. Members can earn free electricity through EDF's new Weekend Saver scheme by flexing their electricity usage and receive rewards for referring family and friends. Flextras will also give customers access to wider offers to help their money go further, such as a 12-month tastecard membership and free electricity days. Plus, EDF will be adding more exciting benefits over time. Coming at a time when wholesale energy prices are increasing, the launch forms part of EDF's commitment in helping customers take greater control of their energy use and bills, while encouraging flexibility that can help reduce pressure on the electricity system during peak hours. Being flexible gives customers extra. At the heart of Flextras is Weekend Saver, a new scheme that rewards customers for shifting some of their electricity usage away from weekday peak times (Monday to Friday, 4 - 7pm). The more customers shift their electricity use outside of peak hours, the more free electricity they could earn. Flextras members who uses less than 18% of their weekly electricity between peak hours of 4pm and 7pm will earn free hours of electricity. Those that use less than 9% of their electricity in peak hours will earn the maximum 25 hours. EDF expects 70% of participants will be able to earn free electricity by reducing their peak electricity usage by just 15%[2] the equivalent of running the dishwasher outside of peak hours six times a month[3]. Customers can track their progress through the EDF app and earned free hours can be used across both Saturdays and Sundays, so participants have flexibility and control over when they use their free electricity[4]. The initiative is designed to make it easier and more rewarding for customers to engage with energy flexibility, turning small everyday changes into tangible benefits. For customers on certain smart time of use tariffs[5], EDF is offering Power Perks as an exclusive Flextras reward. Power Perks rewards customers with free electricity periods when there's more renewable electricity available than the grid needs. Refer a Friend and share the rewards. Flextras members will be able to benefit from EDF's Refer a Friend scheme, which offers members rewards when they refer friends or family to EDF. Both the referrer and new customer will receive a £50 account credit, creating an additional way for customers' wallets to benefit, and there's no limit to the number of people who can be referred[6]. Exclusive member benefits. Alongside these core benefits, Flextras members will gain access to partner offers, rewards and exclusive offers, such as a 12-month tastecard membership, providing discounts on dining, cinema tickets, coffee shops, days out and other leisure activities across the UK, alongside free electricity days and events. Joe Souto, Director of Retail at EDF, said: "Flextras is all about giving its customers more value, and recognising the role they can play in helping create a smarter, more flexible energy system. "With Weekend Saver we expect that 70% of participants will earn free electricity by using 15% less electricity during peak hours, and they can choose when they want to spend their free hours over the weekend to maximise the reward. Customers can benefit further from our exclusive offers, with more planned for the future, showing how Flextras gives customers more from being with EDF." Customers can join Flextras via the EDF app and customers will automatically receive four hours of free electricity as a welcome gift[7]. Customers with a smart meter will be able to access its Energy Hub and additional benefits, such as challenges and free electricity events which reward flexibility. For more information on Flextras alongside eligibility requirements visit the Flextras page or the EDF app. Frequently asked questions. How do customers join Flextras? Flextras can be accessed through the EDF app. To start unlocking rewards, customers need to sign in to their EDF account, follow the Flextras sign-up journey in the app and accept the terms and conditions. When will members receive their benefits and rewards? Upon sign up, customers will automatically receive four hours of free electricity as a welcome gift[8] and access to their tastecard membership. Bonus hours will be automatically received in the Flextras Wallet and can be redeemed from 1 October. Rewards from Weekend Saver and free electricity events will be applied monthly. Some offers may require customers to sign up or opt in separately, and some may have additional eligibility criteria, outlined in the app. How do customers take part in Weekend Saver? To be eligible for Weekend Saver, customers must be signed up to Flextras, use the EDF app, have a compatible smart meter providing half-hourly readings and be on an eligible tariff. Time of Use tariffs are excluded. When are free electricity hours applied? Free electricity hours are awarded based on monthly performance and are redeemed the following month. The value of the free electricity used is credited to the customer's EDF energy account following redemption. How can customers Refer a Friend? Customers can access their unique referral link through their EDF account and share it with friends and family. Rewards are usually applied to both accounts within 30 days of the referred customer making their first Direct Debit payment, although timings may vary. [1] Four hours for customers with a Smart Meter and opted into half-hourly consent when they register. [2] Based on modelling EDF expects 70% of participants who reduce their electricity usage by 15% will earn free electricity. [3] 15% reduction equivalent to 5.51 kwh reduction per month. [4] Weekend hours redeemable 12am - 3pm. App, compatible smart meter and opt-in required. Time of use tariffs excluded. [5] All its EV, Solar import and Heat pump tariffs. FreePhase customers already get free electricity events as part of their tariff. [6] Referred customer must not have been with EDF within previous 12 months. [7] Four hours for customers with a Smart Meter and opted into half-hourly consent when they register. [8] Four hours for customers with a Smart Meter and opted into half-hourly consent when they register.

Carnforth miniature railway revamped by Heysham apprentices. Apprentices from the Heysham power station (Image: Supplied) A team of apprentices has helped transform a miniature railway through a hands-on engineering project. Apprentices from the Heysham power stations spent two weeks working at Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway, near Carnforth, applying their first-year college skills. The project saw the apprentices contribute to a range of engineering improvements while gaining practical experience in mechanical, electrical, and control and instrumentation work. Anthony Livingstone, training instructor at Heysham 1, said: "We wanted to try something new, and it has gone really well. Apprentices from the Heysham power stations working on the Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway (Image: Supplied) "It's allowed the apprentices to utilise their practical skills and enhance their learning, preparing them for their time on site in the summer, and in the future." The group helped construct a new raised five-inch track circuit, update electronic signalling systems, replace point pneumatics and solenoids, route and connect new signalling cables, refurbish sections of track, and help build a five-inch gauge Class 25 locomotive named the Apprentice Express. Mark Brown, chairman of Cinderbarrow Miniature Railway, said: "These apprentices have been absolutely exemplary. "They've worked incredibly hard during what has probably been the hottest two weeks of the year, not letting the weather dent their enthusiasm or commitment to getting the job done. "What they've achieved in just 14 days would normally take our volunteers many months to complete." The group helped construct a new raised five-inch track circuit (Image: Supplied) The railway, a volunteer-run registered charity, is open on Sundays and bank holidays from April to October. The project concluded with a presentation event at the railway, where apprentices arrived on the completed locomotive and shared an overview of their work. Cole Harvey, a first-year C&I apprentice at Heysham 1, said: "It's been great to get real-world experience as engineering is all about problem-solving, and during the project we've had to work together to overcome challenges, fault-find issues and come up with practical solutions. "Seeing the finished result and knowing we've helped improve a local attraction has made all the hard work worthwhile and I'm proud that my name is now signed on the miniature train I helped build, forever." The apprentices will now spend six weeks in maintenance departments at the Heysham sites before returning to college for their second year. Following the project's success, EDF hopes to develop further community-based schemes in the future. Heysham apprentice co-ordinators Justin Woodhouse and Lottie Horner said: "This was a fantastic experience for our apprentices, giving them real hands-on experience and allowing them to use the skills that they've learned in their first year in a productive manner."