
Consumer Energy Solutions Jobs Lost – 300 Staff Redundant
Nearly 300 workers at Consumer Energy Solutions (CES), a south Wales energy-efficiency contractor, lost their jobs in January 2026 when the company entered administration. The collapse of the Swansea and Treorchy-based firm has sparked legal action from former employees and raised questions about oversight of the government’s ECO4 scheme.
CES specialised in home energy upgrades funded by the UK’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). The scheme, which ends in March 2026, was a key source of revenue. Administrators cited the looming deadline as a major factor in the company’s financial failure.
What happened to Consumer Energy Solutions? Administration and job losses
Consumer Energy Solutions (CES)
In Administration (as of Jan 2026)
Almost 300, primarily in Swansea and Treorchy
Swansea and Treorchy, Wales
Key insights on the job losses
- CES employed nearly 300 people across two Welsh offices before entering administration in early January 2026.
- The collapse was sudden; staff were informed immediately and many lost jobs without prior notice.
- CES specialised in energy switching services and home energy upgrades under the ECO4 scheme.
- Administrators Jimmy Saunders and Michael Lennon from KR8 Advisory were appointed.
- The company’s 2024 accounts showed profits over £35 million, prompting scrutiny of how public money was used.
- Nearly 300 former employees launched collective legal action in early 2026, alleging redundancy process flaws.
Key facts about Consumer Energy Solutions job losses
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of administration announcement | 9–13 January 2026 |
| Number of redundancies | ~300 |
| Office locations | Swansea and Treorchy, Wales |
| Official administrator notice | Consumer Energy Solutions website |
| Parent company | City Energy Group |
| Scheme involved | ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation phase 4) |
| Administrators | Jimmy Saunders and Michael Lennon (KR8 Advisory) |
| 2024 profits | Over £35 million |
| Legal action launched | Nearly 300 former employees, early 2026 |
| Notable coverage | BBC Wales, Mirror, Energy Live News |
Who owned Consumer Energy Solutions and where was it based?
Consumer Energy Solutions was a subsidiary of City Energy Group. The company was registered in the UK and operated from offices in Swansea and Treorchy, Wales. According to Companies House records, the entity likely filed under “Consumer Energy Solutions Ltd”. The exact filing status is not fully detailed in public sources, but the company entered administration on 9 January 2026.
Ownership structure
CES was part of the City Energy Group, a parent company that issued redundancy warnings to staff in December 2025. The group’s structure and financial ties are not fully clarified in news reports. The administrators from KR8 Advisory are handling the insolvency.
Office locations and regional impact
Main sites were in Swansea and Treorchy. Reports mention that 295 employees were affected, including roles in sales, project planning, heating, and insulation. Many learned of their redundancies via a Microsoft Teams call days before Christmas 2025.
The job losses represent a major blow to the Swansea and Treorchy local economies. The firms specialised in home energy upgrades under the UK government’s ECO4 scheme, which funds insulation, heating, and efficiency improvements for low-income households.
What complaints and reviews exist for Consumer Energy Solutions?
Employee complaints and legal action
Nearly 300 former employees launched collective legal action in early 2026, focusing on redundancy process flaws. CES initiated a 45-day consultation in December 2025 but entered administration after just 28 days, allegedly breaching legal requirements for collective redundancies. Under UK law, consultations for 90+ redundancies must last 45 or 90 days.
Spokesperson Jack Cromwell, a site manager coordinator hired in September 2025, described the process as “upsetting and disheartening” in an interview with S4C’s Y Byd ar Bedwar. He represents 220 claimants challenging the process.
Customer complaints and Martin Lewis connection
No explicit warning from Martin Lewis was found in available reports. However, the collapse reignited debates about oversight of the ECO4 scheme, which Lewis has historically criticised. The scheme is marketed as “free” but is funded through consumer energy bills. Customers of CES are now unable to complete work, according to the official administrator notice. Energy Live News noted the firm’s previous complaints, though specific reviews are not detailed in public records.
The official administrator notice states CES cannot complete further work for customers. Affected households should contact their energy supplier directly or seek advice from Citizens Advice and the Energy Ombudsman.
What led to the collapse? A timeline of CES administration
- : CES operates as an energy switching broker and efficiency contractor, based in Swansea and Treorchy.
- : Parent company City Energy Group issues redundancy warnings. A 45-day consultation begins.
- : CES enters administration. BBC Wales reports job losses: “Almost 300 jobs are to be scrapped.”
- : Mirror and Energy Live News follow up with coverage.
- : Nearly 300 former employees launch collective legal action over redundancy process flaws.
- : Legal action ongoing. Official website directs customers and staff to administrators KR8 Advisory.
What is known and what remains uncertain about the CES job losses?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| CES entered administration in January 2026. | Exact reasons for the collapse (not fully detailed in sources). |
| Nearly 300 jobs were lost across Swansea and Treorchy. | Number of remote jobs lost (exact breakdown not provided). |
| The company cannot complete further customer work. | Whether customers will get refunds or compensation. |
| Administrators appointed: Jimmy Saunders and Michael Lennon (KR8 Advisory). | Ownership details (not yet fully confirmed via Companies House filings). |
Why does the CES collapse matter?
The collapse of Consumer Energy Solutions fits a pattern of energy switching and efficiency firms struggling after the energy crisis and regulatory changes. Unlike large suppliers, CES was a broker and contractor; its failure highlights the risk of using third-party services for home energy upgrades. The job losses are significant for the Swansea and Treorchy local economies, where CES was a major employer. The ECO4 scheme’s end in March 2026 is expected to strand similar contractors, prompting calls for a National Audit Office investigation into how public money is spent in the sector.
What have official sources and news outlets reported?
“Hundreds of jobs have been lost after an energy provider collapsed into administration.”
– Mirror.co.uk
“Almost 300 jobs are to be scrapped at Consumer Energy Services (CES) in Swansea and Treorchy.”
– BBC News
“The Company is unable to complete any further work for customers.”
– Consumer Energy Solutions official site
What should you take away from the Consumer Energy Solutions story?
The administration of CES resulted in nearly 300 job losses in Wales, legal action from former employees, and uncertainty for customers. The case highlights the fragility of businesses heavily dependent on government schemes and the importance of regulatory oversight. For updates on similar cases, see our article on UK Motoring Law Changes 2026 – Key Updates for Drivers. For broader regional news, Stoke-on-Trent News: Latest Crime, Police, Deaths & Live Updates provides ongoing coverage.
Frequently asked questions about Consumer Energy Solutions job losses
When did Consumer Energy Solutions go into administration?
Based on news reports, the administration was announced around 9–13 January 2026.
How many jobs were lost at CES?
Nearly 300 jobs were lost, primarily in Swansea and Treorchy offices.
Were remote jobs also lost?
The reports do not specify remote jobs separately; most roles were office-based. The company had remote staff? Not confirmed.
What will happen to CES customers?
The official notice states the company cannot complete further work. Customers should contact their energy supplier directly.
Did Martin Lewis warn about Consumer Energy Solutions?
The question appears in search data, but no explicit warning from Martin Lewis was found in available reports. This needs verification.
Where can I find CES Companies House record?
Search for ‘Consumer Energy Solutions Limited’ on the Companies House website. The exact filing status is not provided in SERP snippets.