SWEB Energy was established when the UK electricity market was privatised.
The company went through several owners before being purchased by EDF Energy and its name ceased to exist.
Use of the SWEB Energy Brand Today?
The SWEB Energy brand existed from 1990 through to 2006 when it was purchased by EDF Energy who absorbed the retail energy business into its own brand. The distribution network part of SWEB Energy changed names earlier to Western Power Distribution.
SWEB Energy Contact Phone Numbers & Email
Call – 0800 096 9000 (EDF)
SWEB Energy Address
EDF Energy
Gadeon House
Grenadier Road
Exeter
EX1 3UT
Website: https://www.edfenergy.com/ (EDF)
The History of SWEB Energy
SWEB Energy was formed in 1990 as a result of the privatisation of the UK electricity market. SWEB Energy purchased the assets of the former South Western Electricity Board.
The South Western Electricity Board was created in 1948 when the UK electric market was nationalised after the Electricity Act 1947 was passed.
The South Western Electricity Board was formed from 11 Local Authority and 26 private electric companies. The board was responsible for Cornwall, Devon, and parts of Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Somerset.
In 1995, SWEB Energy was taken over by the American energy company, Southern Electric International, who in 1996 sold 25% of its shares to PPL Global Inc which later increased to 51%.
In 1999, the company was taken over fully by PPL Global Inc, who is an American owned energy distribution company that operates in the UK as Western Power Distribution. Under their ownership, the company was split into two. The distribution arm of the company was moved under Western Power Distribution and known as WDP South West. The energy retail business retained the SWEB Energy name.
In 2003, Western Power Distribution sold the SWEB Energy to EDF Energy. The acquisition of SWEB Energy continued to build EDF’s presence in the UK and it joined the existing assets of London Electricity, SEEBOARD, and Eastern Electricity networks.
In 2010, EDF Energy sold off the energy distribution networks that it owned to Cheung Kong Group. The Cheung Kong Group re-branded the distribution network to UK Power Networks.
What Happened to SWEB Energy?
SWEB Energy was formed in 1990 but had several different owners before it was split into two companies for distribution network and retail energy supply. The SWEB Energy name was retained for the retail energy business until it was purchased by EDF Energy. At this point, the SWEB Energy trading name ceased to exist.
For more see: EDF Energy Reviews & Tariffs
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