Centrica’s capacity to improve its market position and gain customers, other than through taking on those of failed businesses, seems challenging – especially when it recorded a rise in complaints per customer from 2.8pc in the first half of 2020 to 4pc in the same period of 2021.

Moreover, the cost of living crisis may increase bad debts among the firm’s consumer and business customers. And, with the cost of energy rising rapidly in recent months, usage levels may come under pressure to at least some degree.

Overall, energy supply does not appear to be a particularly attractive sector in which to operate. So, too, does the energy services segment that includes boiler servicing and repairs. Centrica’s operations in this arena recorded a 36pc decline in adjusted operating profit in the first half of 2021, while its net promoter score (which measures customer satisfaction) fell by five percentage points to 61 versus the same period of the prior year.

As with the firm’s energy supply segment, energy services customer numbers declined in the first half of 2021. More details on this, and the company’s wider performance, are due to be released in its full-year results on Thursday.

Separately, Centrica continues to have relatively high debt levels. Even though total debt fell by 24pc in the first half of the 2021 financial year, it has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. Its long-dated debt that is relatively expensive may hold back the firm’s progress in an era where investor concerns about leverage could mount as interest rates rise.