The Competition and Markets Authority cleared E.ON’s acquisition of OVO on 1 October 2026 and published its full decision on 6 October. E.ON says it will now move to close the transaction. As checked on 8 October, the latest company announcements still describe the businesses as independent until completion. OVO says customer tariffs, accounts, payment arrangements and support remain unchanged in the meantime.
What has changed since our September report?
The regulatory review has reached a clearance decision. Our earlier reference to a pending inquiry and its anticipated deadline has therefore been superseded. Clearance allows the deal to proceed; it does not mean every OVO customer has already moved to a new supplier account or app. Neither announcement promises an immediate change to customers’ prices.
Why the “biggest supplier” headline?
E.ON has said the proposed combination would add OVO’s customers to its own retail business. Estimates at the announcement put E.ON at roughly 5.6 million and OVO at roughly 4 million household customers, making the combined operation a potential challenger to Octopus for the top spot. That is a prospective ranking, not evidence that OVO accounts have already moved. Size alone does not tell you which supplier is cheapest for a particular Scottish postcode.
Why solar and batteries matter to this takeover
E.ON’s acquisition announcement explicitly puts consumer flexibility, solar, batteries, EVs and digital energy services at the centre of its plans. It describes time-of-use tariffs, controllable home batteries and EV charging as ways to help households manage their energy costs.
Tom’s interpretation: this is a supplier preparing for a market where households generate some electricity themselves and move purchases away from expensive hours. The commercial opportunity extends beyond selling units: it includes managing when electricity is bought, stored, used or exported. That is a direction of travel, not a guarantee of a particular future tariff or a saving for every customer.
Does this mean cheaper bills—or less competition?
The acquisition removes OVO as an independent competitor once completed, while giving the combined business greater scale. Those facts do not establish what will happen to your bill. The CMA has cleared the transaction, but approval is not a promise that prices will fall. Compare the actual tariff available to your Scottish postcode rather than the size or marketing of the supplier.
Octopus and E.ON Next already compete on smart charging, solar export and battery services. The useful comparison remains the full annual cost: standing charges, import prices, export payments, equipment compatibility and any conditions allowing the supplier to control your battery. Offers and eligibility can change; check the linked product pages and a current quote before switching.
Will OVO customers move straight onto E.ON Next?
Do not assume an immediate move to E.ON Next’s app or smart tariffs. E.ON’s acquisition announcement says it will continue OVO’s existing Kaluza platform licence for that customer base after completion. Ownership, account migration and eligibility for a particular product are different questions. Wait for direct information about your own account.
What should an OVO customer do now?
No action is required solely because of the approval. OVO says existing tariffs, accounts, payments and support remain unchanged until completion. Keep your latest bill and contract details, including any EV charging add-on, export agreement or battery offer.
If a later communication proposes changes, compare the new terms with alternatives using your own consumption and postcode. Check cheap charging hours, daytime prices, standing charges, export eligibility, device support and exit fees together. There is no need to leave a good tariff just because the ownership is changing, and no basis to assume every current product will remain identical indefinitely.
The practical lesson for solar and battery buyers
The acquisition’s stated ambition is to expand flexible energy services, but brand loyalty is not a savings model. Ask an installer to show a conservative estimate on a tariff available to you now and a second scenario for any smart product you can actually join. Check whether an inverter can participate before you buy it. Smart-tariff terms can change long before your panels reach the end of their life.
For a broader side-by-side starting point, see our UK solar and battery tariff guide. It should still be checked against a current supplier quote before making a decision.
Primary sources and live product pages
- CMA: clearance on 1 October and full decision published 6 October 2026.
- OVO: clearance and unchanged customer arrangements pending completion; E.ON: clearance and next steps.
- OVO: agreed sale and customer position; E.ON: acquisition announcement and Kaluza arrangement.
- Octopus: Charge Pack; Intelligent Flux availability; Nook battery announcement.
- E.ON Next: Next Optimise and compatible systems; E.ON Next and Kraken partnership.
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