CMA opens a phase 1 merger inquiry into E.ON's proposed acquisition of OVO Energy
If E.ON's purchase of OVO clears on 28 October, two supplier bases become one; the firms that serve OVO today should know which contracts survive.
The Competition and Markets Authority launched its phase 1 merger inquiry on 2 September 2026 into the anticipated acquisition of OVO Energy Ltd by E.ON SE through E.ON UK Limited, following an invitation to comment that ran from 8 to 23 July 2026. The statutory deadline for the phase 1 decision is 28 October 2026, which the CMA notes can be extended in limited circumstances.
A merger of two large energy suppliers is a procurement event as much as a competition one: two sets of systems, contact centres, field forces and suppliers will be rationalised if it clears, and the suppliers to the target are the ones at risk. Advisers on competition, integration and customer migration are engaged in the window before a decision, not after it.
- CMA launches the phase 1 inquiry
- Decision by 28 October 2026: clear, remedies, or phase 2
- If cleared, integration planning for systems, operations and suppliers
- Duplicate contracts and services rationalised
- Customer migration and field operations consolidated
- OVO's suppliers review change-of-control terms and pitch to E.ON.
- Integration consultants, IT and customer migration specialists are engaged.
- Competing suppliers court customers unsettled by the merger.
- The phase 1 decision on or before 28 October 2026.
- Any remedies offered by the parties.
- E.ON statements on integration and headcount.
- If you serve OVO, map your contracts' change-of-control terms and open a line to E.ON now.
- If you advise on integration or regulation, the engagement window is before the decision.
- If you compete for energy customers, prepare for switching activity around the decision.
Possible consequences, not predictions. Window: 0 to 6 months.
- Which suppliers and contractors serve OVO today, and which contracts have change-of-control clauses?
- Will the CMA clear at phase 1, accept remedies, or refer to phase 2?
- What integration plan has E.ON signalled for systems and customer service?
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Sources
- Event date
- 2 September 2026
- Detected by BuzzBaboon
- 2026-09-12 15:21 UTC
- Last updated
- 2026-10-11 11:52 UTC
- Verification status
- primary-source-read
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