London, UK – Wilson Chowdhry, a homeowner who has already endured a billing fiasco with Octopus Energy, is now facing further complications regarding his Feed-in Tariff (FiT). Over 18 months since it was switched to Octopus Energy, he has yet to receive payments for the energy generated by his solar panels—a delay caused by administrative missteps and communication failures.

This is the latest chapter in a series of ongoing challenges Mr. Chowdhry has faced with the energy provider, including an unresolved compensation promise and a mishandled tariff arrangement.  

In June 2024, Wilson Chowdhry successfully won an Energy Ombudsman case against Octopus Energy, which reduced a staggering £15,000 bill to less than £1,000. Read more about his earlier battle and how systemic failures were exposed in this report.

Solar Energy Payments Stalled

Mr. Chowdhry’s issues began when he transferred his Feed-in Tariff from Shell Energy to Octopus Energy. Due to Octopus emailing key documentation and requests for solar meter readings to an incorrect email address, the FiT process was never properly initiated. Despite now providing the correct email address and raising the issue multiple times, Mr. Chowdhry has been informed that his first payment will not arrive until the next quarter—marking nearly two years without compensation for the energy generated by his solar panels.

“Not receiving payment for my solar energy for over a year and a half is completely unacceptable,” said Mr. Chowdhry. “The administrative errors have compounded my financial strain, and the lack of urgency from Octopus Energy makes it feel like my concerns are not a priority.”

Unresolved Promises of Compensation

In June 2024, following a decision from the Energy Ombudsman regarding Mr. Chowdhry’s previous complaints, an Octopus Energy Complaints Manager assured him over a lengthy phone call that he would receive compensation for the company’s failure to honor his agreed-upon tariff. Despite repeated follow-ups, this promise remains unfulfilled.

“I was assured that Octopus Energy recognized their failings and would make things right. But months later, I’m still waiting for action. It’s disheartening and feels like they are hoping I’ll just give up,” he explained.

A Tarnished Experience with Tariff Disputes

The original tariff dispute adds another layer of complexity to the case. In 2022, Mr. Chowdhry spent hours negotiating an “Intelligent Octopus Go” tariff, designed to benefit homeowners who shift energy use to off-peak hours. Despite adjusting his family’s lifestyle to maximize these benefits—running appliances during discounted hours between 11:30 pm and 5:30 am—the smart meter issues and billing failures meant he never saw the financial savings.

When he attempted to escalate the matter, the Energy Ombudsman ruled that Octopus had reverted him to a standard tariff, as stated in the contract. However, Mr. Chowdhry argued that during a critical call discussing the terms, he had been driving and asked for written confirmation, which was never provided.

“I feel like Octopus Energy is hiding behind technicalities instead of addressing the bigger picture. We followed their guidance to the letter, but all we’ve received is stress and financial uncertainty,” said Mr. Chowdhry.

Seeking Accountability

Mr. Chowdhry is now submitting a second complaint to the Energy Ombudsman, citing new evidence, including a Subject Access Request for all call recordings with Octopus Energy.

“This entire experience has been a relentless cycle of frustration. From ludicrous billing errors that landed me a £15,000+ charge, to unfulfilled compensation promises and delayed solar payments, it has been an emotional and financial nightmare,” he said. “I am determined to hold Octopus Energy accountable, not just for myself but for other customers who may face similar neglect.”

Call to Action

Mr. Chowdhry calls on energy providers to uphold their promises and invest in reliable communication and administrative systems. “Energy companies must prioritize customer trust and transparency. People depend on them for one of life’s most essential services—it’s time they acted like it.”

Mr. Chowdhry has also announced today that he will be switching to a new energy provider, expressing complete disillusionment with the actions of Octopus Energy.