Bosses at seven failed energy suppliers trousered at least £3.1million a year between them, research shows.
The figures were revealed by the GMB union as customers face huge hikes in bills.
Latest accounts for Green Network Energy, which went under in January, show directors received almost £1.1million – though it is not known how many shared the cash.
The top-paid director at PFP Energy got £283,000 last year, while Utility Point handed its highest-paid boss nearly £200,000. Both firms collapsed earlier this month.
The failures have been widely blamed on rising wholesale energy prices, but critics say they have also been caused by firms trying to snap up new clients at any cost.
Customers now face paying for it by compensating suppliers that step in to take on their accounts.
GMB chief Gary Smith said: “This is what bandit capitalism looks like.
“Ordinary people will pay the price in rising costs and fuel poverty while directors apparently get to walk away wealthy.”
Bill Bullen, boss of Utilita, one of the bigger suppliers, said: “They clearly weren’t running their businesses in a sensible manner.”
