Lightning Reach and OVO's new energy support hub: why it matters

Ren Yi Hooi, CEO & Founder

When I started Lightning Reach during the pandemic, it was out of a simple: no one should struggle to access the support they need. At the time, I was seeing people around me face impossible choices - heating or eating, debt or dignity. I wanted to build something that could change that.

That mission hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s only become more pressing as the cost-of-living crisis deepens and energy debt has skyrocketed to a record high of £4.4bn.

That’s why I’m so proud to share that we’re partnering with OVO to make it easier for households to get help when they need it most.

Making energy support human, not bureaucratic

Too often, people are asked to jump through hoops to access support: repeating their story, filling out endless forms, sharing sensitive details again and again. It’s exhausting - and it adds pressure at a time when life already feels overwhelming.

With OVO, we’re changing that. Through Lightning Reach, customers can now access OVO’s own support programmes, their referral partners, and thousands of other schemes - all in one place. By securely connecting the dots, we can take away some of the stress and restore dignity to the process.

Reaching people before crisis hits

For me, this isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about care. Vulnerability doesn’t appear overnight  - and too often, help only arrives when things have already reached breaking point.

Our vision is to flip that: to make support proactive and personal, so people get the right help early, before the spiral of debt and anxiety takes hold.

A step toward the system we need

What excites me most about this partnership is that it shows what’s possible when a major energy provider and a mission-driven startup come together: fewer barriers, more dignity, and better outcomes for households.

This is just the beginning. My hope is that what we’ve started with OVO can become a model for the wider sector - where utilities, local authorities, charities and other providers work in concert, not isolation, to support people in a truly joined-up way.

If this vision resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Building a fairer system takes all of us. Together, we can make sure that support isn’t just there in times of crisis, but always, with humanity at the heart.

Get in touch on partnerships@lightningreach.org