Danish Consumer Ombudsman: Vest Energi misled customers when it transferred them to Vedvarende

Forbrugerombudsmanden announced on 5 November that electricity supplier Vest Energi, now in bankruptcy, misled its customers when it transferred their supply contracts and payment agreements to supplier Vedvarende, which is also bankrupt. The authority has formally reminded the company of the Marketing Practices Act rules on good marketing practice.

What the authority found. According to the press release, Vest Energi did not explain clearly enough to customers what the transfer meant: it was not made clear that the transfer required each customer's consent and that customers had the right to refuse. The company also failed to issue a final settlement and to refund overpaid advance payments (aconto), even though energy legislation requires these to be refunded within four weeks of a change of supplier. Vest Energi also charged customers an “acquisition cost” of DKK 449; the company told the authority this was a mistake and that the amount has been refunded to all affected customers.

The timeline. Vedvarende took over Vest Energi's customers on 1 January 2026. Vedvarende was placed in bankruptcy by the Maritime and Commercial High Court (Sø- og Handelsretten) on 7 August 2026, and Vest Energi on 4 October 2026. Customers who believe they are owed money must lodge their claim with the bankruptcy trustee, with supporting documents; the authority has not ruled on individual claims.

What the authority says. “When consumers switch electricity supplier, it must be clear what rights they have and what choices they face,” said Consumer Ombudsman Torben Jensen. He added that the obligation to refund overpaid advance payments also applies when the switch results from a supplier transferring its customers to another.

Background. In May 2026, Forbrugerombudsmanden had warned suppliers that they cannot freely transfer customers: two separate consents are needed from each customer, one for the contract and one for the payment, otherwise the transfer is invalid. The Vest Energi case was also reported by trade outlets Energy Supply and DK Havenergi.

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