EDF moves customer base onto Octopus’ Kraken platform

Following positive conversations at COP26, EDF agreed to move all of their 5 million customers onto the Kraken energy platform which is owned by UK provider Octopus.

The deal was struck between the two companies on the 4th of November, with the migration set to go ahead in 2023. The decision makes EDF the third energy provider, after E.ON and Good Energy, to move over to the Kraken platform which will now service 20 million customers.

“We’re determined to operate a strong, sustainable and diverse retail business that can deliver a great experience to our employees and customers,” Philippe Commaret, Managing Director for Customers at EDF, explained.

“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.”

What is Kraken?

Founded in 2014 as Upside Energy and bought by Octopus in 2020, Kraken is an end-to-end platform which links up different areas of the energy supply chain.

This means that everything from information of energy usage and availability of renewable sources, and billing and customer service functions, are available in one place.

The real time data and analysis provided is expected to help customers better understand their usage. This allows them to adapt to use at cheaper times and when more sustainable means are generating power.

Who are Octopus Energy?

Octopus have generated huge amounts of interest since their creation in 2015. The UK supplier has taken a technology first approach to their tariffs winning them 3 million domestic customers in two years.

All of their tariffs use renewable energy and in 2018 they became the first energy provider to provide half hourly rates, allowing customers to adjust their usage to when the wholesale energy cost was lower.

The introduction of the Kraken energy platform has hugely increased their stock value, as has their announcement of a $600m investment in September from Al Gore’s Generation Investment Management group. The money will be used to help implement the Kraken system worldwide to help support efficiency within the industry and the uptake of renewable energy.