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October 12, 2018
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My switch away was rejected as I have a 'profile class 0' (commercial) supply - how do I get database updated?

  • October 12, 2018
  • 63 replies
  • 4263 views
I applied to change my Provider through Uswitch at the end of July. I have been informed by my intended new Supplier that the delay is entirely caused by Ovo failing to amend the database. This has dragged on for ten unneccesary weeks, if anyone knows how I can move this along and switch away from Ovo I would be really grateful. This has been dragging on far too long and I was assured that it was a simple process that would probably only take a fortnight.
Best answer by Nancy_OVO

Updated on 14/07/25 by Shads_OVO

 

Welcome to the OVO online community. Great question to ask about why you’re having trouble switching away.

Sorry to hear your switch is being delayed due to the way your supply is listed on the national database. What’s likely is your electricity supply is on ‘half-hourly settlements’. This means the readings we receive from your smart meter are shared with the industry on a half-hourly basis. This makes sure we’re able to anticipate your energy demand more efficiently and is an important part of de-carbonising the grid on our journey to Plan Zero

This ‘half hourly settlement’ is listed on the national database as a profile class 00, which up until 2017 was only for business listings. This is an industry wide change so all suppliers should be aware that half-hourly settled supplies can now include residential supplies. However there are a lot of suppliers who still haven’t adjusted to this change and therefore may not be able to onboard you as a customer with this profile class.

 

We can change your entry on the national database so that it’s not listed as half hourly settled, in order to avoid confusion from another supplier. Reach out to our Support Team to request this update. Once requested it takes around 2 - 4 weeks for the listing to be updated. Please be aware that as this relies on the actions of a third party, unfortunately we’re unable to speed this process up, however it might be worth contacting your prospective supplier to check whether they are able to request your switch without needing an update to your address listing. You can find out more about half-hourly settlements here:

 

 

Hope this helps get things sorted and your switch back on track!

 

OVO member but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

 

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

 

63 replies

Jequinlan
Rank 10
Rank 10
May 16, 2022

But otherwise, pretty much all public sources are outdated.

Sorry!

AS-Ha! I found something!!!

 

https://britishbusinessenergy.co.uk/electricity/profile-classes/

 

Profile Class 00: Peak load usage of electricity above 100 kW”

 

If this site is correct, clearly 00 is wrong!

John Quinlan
Jequinlan
Rank 10
Rank 10
May 16, 2022

Also:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2019/10/ghd_report_to_ofgem_-_review_of_eco_supply_volume_methodology_v1.pdf

 

Seems to concur with above., sort of? - @Blastoise186  can you interpret?

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Quinlan
Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
May 16, 2022

You’ve fallen for the trap there John.

That website is unofficial and cannot be relied upon by itself. I can only accept the data from it if official sources back it up. Seems to be that kind of site that just wants to grab cash off you!

That Ofgem report doesn’t really tell me much either…

Except for one thing… Class F can be domestic and Half-Hourly and Class 00. I think OVO might be telling the truth here.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
Newcomer
May 16, 2022

I did finally find what I was looking for. It is on Page 16f at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2016/05/elective_hhs_conclusions_paper.pdf

“On CoS, the losing HH supplier would first be required to return the customer to NHH arrangements. (The customer’s previous NHH profile class (if known).”

Now this document is only reflective and not definitive, but it does squarely put the blame on OVO. So unless somebody finds a document that is definitive, more recent, and states the contrary, I have made up my mind. (Insert “change my mind” meme here...)

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
May 16, 2022

True, that would have been the case in 2016 when that document was published. But what if other stuff has changed since then? What happens when 99% of suppliers enable Half-Hourly Settlement properly and you get that one holdout who refuses to budge off of the old ways?

It seems to me as if it’s more a case of OVO and a few other suppliers running in “future mode” while others are still in “stone age mode”, so to speak.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
Jequinlan
Rank 10
Rank 10
May 16, 2022

I might call OFGEM ! :) 

John Quinlan
Jequinlan
Rank 10
Rank 10
May 16, 2022

Update to that..  i have actually spoken to OFGEM directly, they are investigating this as a compliance issue in 2 ways:

1. If the OVO setup and classification is valid
2. Why suppliers are blocking transfers *regardless* of classificiation.

Was an amazing 22 mins call with very helpful response and they are formalising a response to me in writing on these subjects. They are confirmed the owners of profile class definition.

 

I will share response here and it is being fast tracked.

John Quinlan
Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
May 16, 2022

John, how did you manage to pull of that kind of black magic? XD

I thought Ofgem didn’t take calls from consumers?

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Jequinlan
Rank 10
Rank 10
May 16, 2022

I have spent the past 30plus years working with all sortsxof compliance teams. There are ways.. . ;)

John Quinlan
Newcomer
May 17, 2022

It seems to me as if it’s more a case of OVO and a few other suppliers running in “future mode” while others are still in “stone age mode”, so to speak.

That’s what I thought first, but my chosen supplier also is running in “future mode”. So this seems to be more an issue of the system not catering for switching suppliers while on EHHS (despite this being identified as in important user story by the relevant working group - it does boggle the mind). 

So it seems that there is plenty of blame to go round, but more importantly, this problem needs to be fixed industry wide. The attitude “it only affects a few customers so far” is certainly far from helpful. 

I am looking forward to the full statement from OFGEM.