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UK Business Energy Comparison

UK Business Energy Comparison

Peek behind the curtain of any successful business and you will usually find strong leadership, skilled teams of staff, and the tools and equipment they need to be efficient. You’ll also notice that, no matter what type of business you’re observing, it requires energy.

UK Business Energy Comparison

Whether you are powering a single electric tool or large-scale manufacturing site, operating computers and using Wi-Fi, heating your buildings or simply keeping the lights on, all businesses need energy to run.

Energy bills can make up a large portion of operational costs, but many business customers may be overpaying simply because they haven’t compared the deals on offer. While it would be time consuming to seek out quotes from every possible business energy supplier individually, you can compare business electricity and business gas prices in seconds using Business Energy UK.

Our service is fast, free and impartial. We’ll match your business needs with the UK market’s most competitive commercial energy quotes in under 60 seconds.

How To Compare Business Energy Prices & Switch with Us

Compare

Compare

Compare

Simply provide your postcode, and we’ll identify your meter and assess your consumption to present you with the most up-to-date prices.

Choose Your Supplier

Choose Your Supplier

Choose Your Supplier

Choose the tariff that best suits your business needs – you even have the option to remain with your existing supplier.

Relax, we'll handle the switch

Relax, we’ll handle the switch

Relax, we'll handle the switch

We look after the switching process, and you’ll be updated every step of the way.

Why Choose Us for Business Energy Comparison?

Here at Business Energy UK, we’re not just a comparison site. We’re a socially conscious organisation, rooted right here in the UK, with a mission to make a difference.

Why Choose Us for Business Energy Comparison?

We offer an unbiased, thorough business energy comparison service, designed to help businesses like yours save money. In fact, on average, our customers save an impressive £1,401* when they switch with us. But our commitment doesn’t stop at helping you cut costs.

We’re also deeply committed to combating fuel poverty and contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone. By choosing us, you’re not just making a smart business decision; you’re also making a socially responsible one. We believe in creating a better tomorrow, and with every switch made through our platform, we’re one step closer to that goal.

So, why choose Business Energy UK? Because we offer more than just cost savings – we offer a chance to make a positive impact. And we’ll be with you every step of the way, from comparing suppliers to managing the switching process. Choose us, and together, we can create a better, more sustainable future.

How to find the best business energy deals to cut your annual bills
How to find the best business energy deals to cut your annual bills

How to find the best business energy deals to cut your annual bills

How to find the best business energy deals to cut your annual bills

Our comparison service can save your business money – and it’s completely free. All you need to do is provide some basic information about your business and how it typically uses energy, which you can find using a recent business energy bill.

We compare tariffs from the major business energy suppliers, known as the Big Six, as well as a wide range of smaller, newer, independent energy companies. We’ll tailor the search results to suit your needs, so that you’re only shown relevant tariffs.

Our service is impartial, so you can have complete confidence that we’ll always show you the deals offering the best value for money.

Our service is fast, free and impartial. We’ll match your business needs with the UK market’s most competitive commercial energy quotes in under 60 seconds.

Energy Bill Discount Scheme for Businesses

The UK government has unveiled a plan to assist businesses during times of elevated wholesale energy prices. This initiative, known as the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS), is automatically applied to your usage whenever wholesale energy prices exceed a specific limit.

Energy Bill Discount Scheme for Businesses

This allows you to secure an excellent business energy deal in the interim to optimise your discount.

The discount amount is calculated as the difference between the unit price stipulated in your contract and the threshold of the wholesale price. There’s no need for you to apply for this discount, as it is automatically implemented by your supplier.

How much discount am I entitled to?

Standard Business Discounts Price Threshold for Wholesale (p/kWh) Maximum Discount Available (p/kWh) High Consumption Industry Discounts Price Threshold for Wholesale (p/kWh) Maximum Discount Available (p/kWh)
Electricity 30.20p 1.961p Electricity 18.50p 8.90p
Gas 10.70p 0.697p Gas 9.90p 4.00p

The maximum discount available for most businesses are:
Electricity: £19.61 per megawatt-hour (MWh) with a price threshold of £302 per MWh
Gas: £6.97 per MWh with a price threshold of £107 per MWh

How to get
accurate business
energy quotes

When your contract is coming to the end, you will likely be contacted by your provider about renewal. This contact may be made through a letter or email and will often include a renewal quote that is more expensive than the average business energy prices available on the market, which is why it’s so important to compare commercial energy deals.

For the most accurate business energy comparison, use Business Energy UK to compare deals with a recent energy bill to hand and your meter numbers noted down. You can ensure you get the most accurately-priced quotes by using real energy consumption data as your reference and by providing meter numbers.

What are the latest UK Business Energy prices in 2023?

What are the latest UK Business Energy prices in 2023?

The fluctuating market can make it challenging to determine the appropriate amount you should be paying for your energy supply. The rates provided here are examples of business electricity tariffs based on a 2-year fixed rate, taken from a snapshot of prices on a specific day in July 2023. Please note that prices can differ across various regions in the UK.

Business Energy Unit Price by Size

Annual Usage Business Size Electricity Unit Price (p/kWh) Gas Unit Price (p/kWh)
Micro Business (Up to 5,000 kWh) 31.1p 10.6p
Small Business (Up to 15,000 kWh) 31.1p 9.7p
Medium Business (Up to 25,000 kWh) 31.3p 9.5p
Large Business (Up to 50,000 kWh) 31.3p 9.4p
Extra Large Business (Up to 100,000 kWh) 31.0p 8.5p

Updated: July 2023

Annual Business Energy Cost by Size

Annual Usage Business Size Electricity Annual Cost Gas Annual Cost
Micro Business (Up to 5,000 kWh) £1,797.85 £698.09
Small Business (Up to 15,000 kWh) £4,950.27 £1,635.50
Medium Business (Up to 25,000 kWh) £8,255.58 £2,589.83
Large Business (Up to 50,000 kWh) £16,178.46 £4,972.83
Extra Large Business (Up to 100,000 kWh) £31,548.99 £9,053.29

Updated: July 2023

Business Energy Prices by Region (England, Scotland & Wales)

The table below shows the average prices per kWh for different regions within England. These regions are geographical, and the prices may fluctuate based on your supplier’s region. The prices have been updated as of July 2023.

To find the most recent prices from suppliers in your area, the most effective method is to compare business energy prices today.

Region Avg. Usage (kWh) Electric unit rate (per kWh) Gas unit rate (per kWh)
London 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
Scotland 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
North East England 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
North West England 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
East Midlands 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
West Midlands 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
Yorkshire 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
East Anglia 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
South East 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
South West 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p
Southern 5,000 30.10p 10.50p
25,000 30.50p 9.40p
50,000 30.20p 9.30p
100,000 30.00p 8.50p

How to find the most competitive energy tariffs

Historically, the energy market has been volatile and fast-changing. This makes it difficult to predict how the prices for gas or electricity will change in the future.

Market trends are reflected in the rates business energy suppliers quote, and many factors can influence this, from customer demand to major global events – even the weather.

The best way to ensure you have access to competitive business energy deals is to compare quotes, so that you can find a tariff with the best value for money once your contract’s switching window opens. Remember to:

How to find the most competitive energy tariffs
Switch before you end up on rollover contracts

Switch before you end up on rollover contracts

These tariffs are far more expensive than your business will currently be paying, sometimes as much as 100% increase.

Formally end your existing contract

Formally end your existing contract

Terminating your agreement formally before the deadline, which will be written into your terms and conditions, is essential for you to change contract.

Compare the best deals using Business Energy UK

Compare the best deals using Business Energy UK

By shopping around for your gas and electricity deals, your business could save hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

It’s important to look at the value for money that each quote offers by considering both the price and the quality of service you expect. By looking beyond face value of the price alone, you can make a fully informed decision about how well an offer satisfies the needs of your business.

Business energy contract types

Fixed-rate tariffs

Fixed-rate tariffs

The amount you pay for energy remains the same when you choose a fixed-rate tariff. Your business will still have higher bills if it uses more energy, but the amount it pays for each unit of energy will be fixed.

Green business energy tariffs

Green business energy tariffs

There are a wide range of reasons for going green with your business energy, from commercial incentives to social responsibility, and most pressingly, customer expectations and retention.

If your business is looking to reduce its carbon footprint and operate in a way that is environmentally friendly, a green energy tariff uses renewable sources of energy.

You can find green business energy deals using our comparison tool. Choose from renewable contracts with the Big Six or an increasing number of green suppliers that offer renewable energy exclusively.

Half-hourly meters

Half-hourly meters

Businesses with very high energy usage use half-hourly meters, which send readings to energy suppliers every thirty minutes. If your business has a half-hourly meter, it will only be charged for the energy it consumes.

The data from meter readings also helps you manage your energy consumption by revealing peak times and days, enabling you to make changes to improve energy efficiency.

Out-of-contract tariffs

Out-of-contract tariffs

When your contract is coming to an end, it’s important to find a new deal. If not, you might be moved to a rollover contract and charged out-of-contract rates for your business energy. This usually means your organisation ends up paying far more than it should be. Compare and switch business energy deals when your current contract is about to expire, rather than letting it rollover to an expensive tariff.

Variable-rate tariffs

Variable-rate tariffs

Offering greater flexibility, you will not be charged a set rate per unit of energy with a variable-rate tariff. Instead, your charges will reflect what is happening in the energy market more widely.

This can be beneficial when the cost of energy is low, but it is risky because your bills will inevitably increase when the cost of energy is higher. As the price is determined by market activity, the amount your business pays for energy can change from month to month.

One major benefit of variable-rate tariffs is that there is no contract term, so your business does not need to commit to long-term deals. Typically, you’ll be able to cancel your contract with around one month’s notice.

Multi-site energy contracts

Multi-site energy contracts

If your business operates across multiple sites, you can manage these together by choosing a multi-site business energy deal. Quotes for this type of contract are grouped into a single procurement offer that takes data from the meters across all your sites into account.

28-day contracts

28-day contracts

These types of tariffs are now uncommon and hark back to a time before market deregulation. Your business will only be on a 28-day contract if it has not switched supplier in more than thirty years.

Deemed rate tariff

Deemed rate tariff

If you move business premises, you might find yourself paying a deemed rate. These tend to be the default choice in the absence of a formal contract, but are usually very expensive. If your business is paying deemed rates, you should make it a priority to compare quotes and switch to a better deal to avoid overpaying for your energy.

Business Energy Comparison Glossary

Business Energy Comparison Glossary
Term Description
Business energy suppliers companies that procure energy in bulk from the wholesale market and resell it to individual business clients.
The National Grid The national infrastructure system that transfers energy in the form of electricity and gas throughout the nation for supplying businesses and residential households.
Big six energy suppliers The six dominant energy providers in the country, comprise Centrica, EDF Energy, EON, nPower, OVO, and Scottish Power.
Green energy tariff A pricing structure offered by a commercial energy provider that correlates your usage with clean energy production or contributes towards eco-friendly initiatives.
Ofgem The regulator of the energy markets, Ofgem’s mandate is to defend consumer interests, including businesses, by fostering competition. Ofgem has the power to license all participants in the energy sector.
Smart Energy Meter An automated energy metering device that transmits your usage data directly to your energy provider.
Climate Change Levy A green tax imposed on energy supplied to companies in the UK. This tax is appended to all commercial energy invoices for each kilowatt-hour of energy supplied.
Fuel Mix A statement provided by a commercial energy provider that discloses the origins of energy generation utilised in your commercial energy rate.
Business energy tariff A pricing plan stipulating how a commercial energy provider will supply your business with energy, including the cost of energy, the settlement agreement, and the duration of the contract.
Rollover Contract This is initiated when a specific pricing plan hasn’t been confirmed before the end of the current contract. For micro-businesses, the duration of this contract can’t exceed 12 months.
Deemed Contract The legal understanding between a commercial energy provider and a commercial property occupant when energy is being supplied but no formal contract has been finalised.
Half-Hourly Meter A required metering system for larger businesses. A smart energy meter will send a meter reading to your commercial energy provider every 30 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

You can save hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds by switching business energy provider. It’s important to keep a handle on commercial expenditure, particularly energy bills, for three reasons. First and foremost, bills often make up a large chunk of overall business costs. Secondly, businesses generally use much more energy than domestic households. And thirdly, businesses can reinvest their savings into other areas, helping them grow and become more profitable.

You can compare deals in under 60 seconds using Business Energy UK, so you can select a new business energy supplier quickly. This is just the start of the process, but the majority of work is taken care of by the energy companies behind the scenes. It typically takes between four and six weeks to complete the switch. To avoid any unnecessary delays, ensure you’ve provided all the information your new supplier needs early on.

Standing charges involve a daily payment that remains the same, no matter how much energy is used, and most business energy contracts include them. Although standard charges are very common, some suppliers offer tariffs with no standing charges, which can be useful if you run a seasonal business or do not open every day.

Gas and electricity are not packaged together in business energy tariffs, so there’s no equivalent to the dual fuel offerings that you are able to choose with your domestic energy deals. Business energy suppliers will instead offer separate energy quotes and draw up separate contracts for business gas and electricity. It’s a good idea to choose the same contract length for both, making these easy to manage.

Charities and nonprofits are eligible for a 5% discount on their energy bills, reduced from the full rate of 20%. You may get a discount for paying via direct debit.

The Climate Change Levy is a green tax imposed on all businesses that consume energy in the UK. This tax promotes improved energy efficiency. Any business in the UK has the opportunity to participate in the Climate Change Agreement Scheme, which allows them to benefit from lower rates.

Climate Change Levy (CCL) Rates:
Taxable commodity Rate from 1 April 2022 (£ per kilowatt hour (kWh)) Rate from 1 April 2023 (£ per kWh) Rate from 1 April 2024 (£ per kWh)
Electricity 0.00775 0.00775 0.00775
Gas 0.00568 0.00672 0.00775

Source: GOV

Transitioning to a different business gas or electricity provider is an uncomplicated procedure, and there will be no interruption in your gas and electricity services. When you change your energy provider, you’re merely altering the company that oversees your supply. The infrastructure, including all cables and pipes, will stay unchanged.

Utilising a multi-site meter allows you to consolidate your business energy expenses into a single invoice. This enables you to manage the gas and electricity bills for multiple buildings under one energy contract.

Multi-site meters are an excellent tool for business owners, aiding in time and cost savings by eliminating the need to juggle numerous energy contracts.

There are several distinctions between domestic and business energy contracts. Primarily, business energy contracts are more rigid, and the penalties for early termination are significantly higher.

A business energy provider procures the precise quantity of gas and electricity anticipated for each business energy contract. Given that businesses consume more energy, the provider would incur losses if businesses prematurely terminated their contracts without settling the necessary payments.

On the other hand, switching domestic energy is relatively simpler due to lower consumption levels, and contracts typically become flexible after the conclusion of a fixed-rate agreement.

Dual fuel tariffs are exclusively for residential customers. Businesses are required to transition their gas and electricity services independently.

While businesses can choose the same provider for both types of fuel, each must be switched individually. If you opt to contract both gas and electricity from the same supplier, you might have the opportunity to negotiate a more favourable energy deal.

To get an accurate quote when switching business energy providers, it’s crucial to have the correct information at your disposal. There are also other factors to consider. To ensure a smooth transition, even if you’re just checking the latest energy rates, follow these steps:

Terminate your current contract

Comparing business energy prices online has never been more straightforward. Once you’ve identified the right tariff, you’ll need to end your existing contract. Keep in mind that gas and electricity must be switched separately – a useful tip is to conduct your commercial energy comparison all at once. Synchronizing your contracts for the same duration will save you time in the future.

If you fail to terminate your contract, many commercial energy providers will default you to costly out-of-contract rates. Providers are not always diligent about sending renewal notices (unless you’re categorized as a micro-business).

Find your meter registration numbers

When comparing business energy quotes, having your Meter Point Reference Number and Meter Point Administration Number (MPRN & MPAN) available will ensure you receive accurate rates based on your actual usage.

These numbers should be visible on a recent energy bill. If you don’t have these readily available, our smart comparison engine can often retrieve this information for you.

Your company information

You’ll need some basic company details so our business energy specialists can find you an excellent deal. The switching process can be entirely online at your convenience, or our team is just a phone call away if you need any help.

We’ll typically require the following information:

  • Business address and postcode
  • The desired start date for your new energy deal
  • Energy meter numbers
  • Your annual energy consumption

Most of the information you need will be on your recent bill.

Switch with confidence

There’s no obligation to switch business energy providers with us. We aim to help you find the deal that’s right for you. If you choose to switch with us, you can relax while we manage the process for you.

Daily rate changes

The energy market can be highly unpredictable, and numerous factors can influence the price you pay for your energy usage. Here are some reasons your commercial energy contract could cost more or less:

  • The size of your business – businesses with larger consumption pay more annually for their energy usage but receive discounted unit rates. Businesses with lower consumption will pay higher unit rates.
  • Your energy tariff – there’s a broad range of tariffs with different pricing models – for example, Economy 7/10 (cheaper rates at night), no standing charge tariffs, and green energy tariffs all have different rates. Each has its advantages depending on your company’s gas and electricity usage.
  • Energy suppliers – while generally guided by wholesale market prices, different suppliers have different pricing models, making some more expensive than others.
  • Wholesale market prices – the wholesale market is always fluctuating, and suppliers use this as a guideline for their pricing models. Significant global events, weather, and other factors can impact the wholesale market, and prices will be adjusted accordingly.

Most of the information you need will be on your recent bill.

In 2023, business energy costs have seen a slow decline, yet they remain significantly above the norm. The ongoing Ukraine conflict continues to influence these prices.

Here’s an explanation of how this remote conflict escalates business energy costs:

Dependence on Russian gas – Over the past two decades, Europe has grown heavily dependent on the inexpensive natural gas provided by Russia. As the world’s leading gas producer, Russia exports most of its gas to Europe via pipelines.

Economic sanctions – The Ukraine conflict has led to economic sanctions between the West and Russia. These sanctions have imposed severe limitations on gas supply to Europe. To compensate for this, Europe now depends on costly imports of Liquid Natural Gas from the Middle East and America, which in turn escalates the wholesale gas price.

Gas usage for electricity production – The British National Grid depends on imported natural gas from Europe, which is then converted into electricity using gas-fired power stations. The rise in gas prices directly increases the cost of electricity.

In the first half of 2023, business energy costs have seen a slow decline due to a relatively mild winter and as European companies have adapted to use gas more efficiently and increased their renewable electricity production.

The Energy Supply Ombudsman, more formally known as the Ombudsman Services: Energy, is an independent body in the UK that settles disputes between consumers and companies in the energy sector. It offers a free and impartial service to customers who have been unable to resolve a complaint with their energy supplier or network operator.

The types of complaints that the Energy Supply Ombudsman can deal with include billing issues, problems with energy meters, switching problems, and customer service complaints, among others.

If a consumer has a complaint about their energy service, they should first try to resolve it with the energy company directly. If the issue is not resolved to the consumer’s satisfaction after eight weeks, or if a deadlock letter has been received, they can then escalate their complaint to the Energy Supply Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman will investigate the complaint and make a decision based on the evidence provided by both parties. If the consumer accepts the Ombudsman’s decision, it becomes binding on the company involved, which means they must take the actions recommended by the Ombudsman, which could include an apology, remedial action, or a financial award.

The Energy Supply Ombudsman is authorised by the UK regulator, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), and its services are free for consumers.