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Business electricity comparison
BIG
SUPPORT
to
compare business electricity!
Business electricity is different. No price cap & no cooling off
Compare business electricity & fix your rates to beat price volatility
Compare, switch & renew business electricity with Bionic
We’ll use smart data to find your current energy supplier and usage for you using industry held data. Enter manually
We compare a vetted panel of trusted UK business energy suppliers
Why compare and switch business electricity suppliers?
Business electricity rates are constantly changing, and without a fixed deal, you could be overpaying on price. Loyalty to your supplier doesn't always pay when it comes to business electricity. Suppliers will often keep the best rates for new customers only, to entice them in. Here’s why you should consider carrying out a business electricity comparison and switch:
- Avoid out-of-contract rates - Have you noticed a sudden rise in your payments? You might be paying out-of-contract rates. Switching now could shave money off your electricity bill, and if you really don’t want to switch, we’ll get to work and negotiate a better price with your current supplier.
- Lock in for longer - Energy markets are unpredictable. For peace of mind, it’s best to lock in the lowest rate now, for longer. We can organise competitive deals for 1-4 years, depending on what your business needs.
- Trusted suppliers – No one wants their supplier to go bust. We work with a panel of trusted suppliers who offer reliable service with great business electricity rates. We’ll manage the admin with them so you can get back to running your business.
How Bionic business electricity comparison works
No long forms
Start a business electricity comparison with just your postcode. We use secure smart data to find the details we need to run your quote.
We’ll do the comparison for you
Once we know more about the needs of your business, we'll compare quotes and exclusive deals from our panel of trusted UK suppliers.
We'll talk you through the quotes
One of our experts will explain the quotes on screen and answer any questions. You choose the best deal and we’ll handle the rest.
Your Bionic comparison is free.
If you decide to switch, we’ll be paid a commission by the new supplier that is included in the prices we quote.
Why it’s better to talk
Switching business electricity is more complicated than switching domestic energy. That's why 75% of business owners say they'd sooner speak to someone to get their questions answered. Our tech-enabled experts are on hand to help business owners just like you.
Look behind headline savings figures
Business electricity prices are calculated with many ‘moving parts’, like standing charges, unit rates, and other fees. We’ll help you look behind the headline figures to see which deals will result in savings for your business.
Tailor your price
Why accept the first price you’re given? As the UK’s market leader for business electricity comparison, we get exclusive rates from our panel of trusted UK energy suppliers, and can tailor prices to suit your business’s needs.
Make your new contract more likely to go live
Bionic has a dedicated team who manage your old and new suppliers to save you the hassle. When we talk, we can make sure all the details are exactly right so your new contract is more likely to go live smoothly.
All part of the service with Bionic
Proactive comparison for your next contract
Bionic’s Digital Renewal service makes everything much quicker and easier when it’s time to sort your next energy contract. We’ll proactively do your next comparison for you, and share it by email. You then choose the deal you want online, and we’ll take care of everything else for you.
Sort all your business essentials in one place
Bionic is a one-stop shop for business electricity, business insurance, business connectivity (phone line and broadband), and business finance (loans). Save yourself time and hassle by getting all your business products sorted in one place. Just one name to remember for any of your essential services.
Or speak to one of our team now on 0800 860 6833
Bionic provides the business switching services for many well known brands
We’re the market-leader in business comparison.
But don’t just take our word for it, here’s what our customers say!
What are the latest business electricity rates for April 2024?
When it comes to business electricity, the size of your business can be determined by the amount of electricity it uses.
To give you an idea of how much your business should be paying for electricity, here are the latest business electricity rates per kWh and standing charges for April 2024.
| Business size | Electricity unit price per kWh | Electricity daily standing charge |
| Micro Business | 26.0p | 53.3p |
| Small Business | 24.9p | 76.5p |
| Medium Business | 25.0p | 95.4p |
| Large Business | 24.1p | 78.1p |
Note: Prices are correct as of April 2024. Rates and bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. The prices you’re quoted may be different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges quoted by Bionic per business size from April 1 to April 10 2024.
If you run a large business, Bionic offers the following:
- Bespoke procurement service
- Bill validation service
- Metering and data collector service
- Services for businesses with multiple sites
For more information, check out our guide for large business and industrial businesses.
How much should my business electricity bills be in April 2024?
An average business electricity bill is determined by the rates, the type of contract, your supplier and the amount of electric you use. Here's a rough idea of how much you should be paying each year:
| Business size | Annual usage | Cost per year |
| Micro Business | 5,000 to 15,000 kWh | £2,794 (based on annual usage of 10,000 kWh) |
| Small Business | 15,000 to 25,000 kWh | £5,881 (based on annual usage of 22,500 kWh) |
| Medium Business | 25,000 to 55,000 kWh | £12,223 (based on annual usage of 47,500 kWh) |
| Large Business | More than 55,000 kWh | £15,540 (based on annual usage of 65,000 kWh) |
Note: Prices are correct as of April 2024. Rates and bill size may vary according to your meter type and business location. The prices you’re quoted may be different from the averages shown. The figures shown are the average unit rates and standing charges quoted by Bionic per business size from April 1 to April 10 2024.
What costs make up a business electricity bill?
When working out the cost of your business electricity bills, there are two main things to look out for:
- Unit rate – Measured in kilowatt hours (kWh), this is the amount you pay for each unit of gas your business uses. If you're on a fixed tariff, this is the bit that stays the same for the length of your contract.
- Standing charge – This is a daily amount that is charged regardless of whether or not you use any gas. It covers the cost of managing your service and delivering gas to your premises.
But it's not just wholesale prices that affect the rates you'll be quoted. Business electricity suppliers base their rates on the size of your business size and its electricity consumption. And you should always find out whether the business electricity rates you're quoted include VAT. Although a reduced 5% VAT rate is available to certain businesses, most will pay 20% VAT on energy bills, which can really bump up your bills. If you're VAT registered, you should be able to claim this back though. You can find out more in our guide to VAT on business energy.
Your business credit score can also affect the type of deal and rates you're offered.
You may also need to pay other fees, such as the Climate Change Levy, Renewable Obligation, and the Feed-In Tariff.
If you're wondering how wholesale pricing is calculated and why a drop in wholesale prices isn't immediately reflected in the rates you pay or are quoted, then our guide to how power is bought and sold explains it all.
How does business electricity differ from domestic electricity?
- No dual fuel deals - One of the main differences between business and home electricity deals is that there’s no default option to double up with your supplier and take out a dual fuel deal. But if your supplier offers business gas alongside business electricity, you can use the same supplier for both.
- 1 - 4 year contracts - Business contracts also usually last longer than domestic deals. While most households will be offered a one-year fixed contract, business owners can lock rates in for up to four years.
- No cooling off period - There’s no cooling off period with business electricity contracts, so that’s why it’s important to speak with an advisor and make sure you’re on the right deal before you sign, as contracts are legally binding
Find out more about the differences between commercial energy and domestic energy.
What business electricity tariffs are available?
When you compare business electricity deals, you’ll notice a few different tariff types available. Bionic’s tech-enabled experts will talk you through your options to ensure you get the right deal.
Here are the main types of electricity tariffs on offer to SMEs:
- Fixed - A fixed-term tariff usually lasts between one and four years, during which time the unit cost and standing charges stay the same. Although your bills will still vary depending on how much energy you use, the actual rates you pay are fixed for the deal's term.
- Variable - The unit rate you pay on variable tariffs goes up or down in line with the current market prices. If prices drop, you’ll pay less, but energy prices are more likely to increase and leave you paying more.
- Blend and Extend - These deals allow you to extend the length of your current contract with the same supplier, who will then reward your loyalty with lower rates.
- Pass through - A pass-through tariff splits your bill in two between the wholesale energy costs, which are fixed, and the other elements that make up the unit rates, which vary and are most suited to businesses that don’t need price certainty.
- Flex approach – With this type of tariff you can take advantage of favourable wholesale rates by buying electricity for the months or years ahead, usually when costs are low.
Who supplies my business electricity?
If you're on a long-term fixed electricity deal, you won't need to think about your energy supplier until your contract is up for renewal. But if you can’t remember who your business electricity supplier is and you’ve checked your most recent bill you'll need to call your regional electricity distributor. Check the table below for the phone number of your region's distributor:
| Region | Number |
| North Scotland | 0345 0262554 |
| South & Central Scotland | 0300 1010300 |
| North East England & Yorkshire | 0800 01113332 |
| North West England | 0800 1954141 |
| North Wales, North Shropshire, Cheshire & Merseyside | 0330 1010300 |
| South Wales & South West England | 0800 0963080 |
| East & West Midlands | 0800 0963080 |
| Central Southern England | 0345 0262554 |
| Eastern England, South East England and London | 0800 0294285 |
If you've switched with Bionic, you can call us to find out and we can help you compare, switch and renew when the time is right.
We only carry out a business electricity comparison from a panel of trusted suppliers that provide quality customer service and great rates.
| Supplier | Contract type | Term duration on offer |
| British Gas | Fixed | 1-3 year |
| BG Lite | Fixed | 1-5 year |
| British Gas Plus | Fixed | 1-3 year |
| Crown Gas & Power | Fixed | 1-3 year |
| EDF Energy | Fixed | 1-4 year |
| Opus Energy | Fixed | 1-3 year |
| ScottishPower | Fixed | 1-3 year |
| Smartest Energy | Fixed | 1-3 year |
| SSE | Fixed | 1-3 year |
| TotalEnergies | Fixed | 1-5 year |
| Valda Energy | Fixed | 1-3 year |
| Yü Energy | Fixed | 1-3 year |
Business Electricity FAQs
To help you understand more about switching business electricity, here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
How long does it take to switch business electricity?
Although you can compare business electricity deals and sign up for a new deal as soon as your switching window opens - usually up to six months before your deal ends - the actual switch won’t take place until your contract expires.
Non-domestic switches usually take around six weeks to complete. To make sure you’re not rolled onto your supplier’s more expensive rates, you should business electricity comparison and arrange a new deal about two months before your current contract ends.
Will switching interrupt my electricity supply?
No. Both your current and the new supplier will work together to organise a date that your supply is transferred, meaning the provision of power to your premises remains unaffected. And your electricity will still be supplied through the existing cables, meaning there’s no need for digging or drilling at your workplace.
What information do I need to compare business electricity prices?
At Bionic, we use smart data to get the info we need to run a business electricity comparison. This means we only need your business name and postcode to compare business electricity rates.
But to make the switch, we’ll also need your MPAN or MRPN number.
- You can find your MPAN on your electricity bill. MPAN stands for Meter Point Administration number, but is also known as the ‘Supply Number’ or ‘S Number’. You should be able to easily identify it as it’s a 21-digit number that begins with an ‘S’. Although it’s used to identify the supply meter at your property, you won’t find your MPAN displayed anywhere on your meter.
To find out more about meter numbers, check out Bionic’s guide to MPAN numbers and MPRN numbers.
Will my business electricity meter need to be replaced if I switch supplier?
If you have a standard electricity meter, it’s unlikely it will need to be replaced when you switch. But if you have a smart meter, you may need a new meter if the one you have isn’t compatible with your new supplier. For more information, check out our guide to smart meters for business.
What is half hourly electricity?
If your business has a peak electricity demand of 100KVA, you’ll need to have a half-hourly meter installed. Half hourly electricity meters automatically submit readings to your supplier every 30 minutes, to help ensure your bills are accurate.
If you have a half hourly meter installed, the MPAN will have ‘00’ after the ‘S’. For more information, check out our guide to half hourly electricity.
Can my business benefit from the Smart Export Guarantee?
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a scheme you can sign up for to sell any excess renewable power you generate back to the National Grid. It was introduced by the UK Government on January 1, 2020.
SEG replaced the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) that closed on April 1, 2019, for new applicants.
Find out more about selling renewables back to the grid.
Can my business benefit from the solar panels Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme?
If you applied to the FiT scheme before April 1, 2019, then your business should have been enrolled on the scheme. This means you can make money by selling back to the National Grid any surplus power generated by solar panels at your premises.
The amount of money you can make depends upon the number of solar panels you have, and your supplier must be a registered FiT licensee.
Can I switch to a green electricity deal?
Switching to a business electricity supplier that uses renewable sources could be good for both your energy bills and the image of your business - showing that you're doing your bit for the environment can go a long way with your customers.
Green electricity is available across the majority of the UK, and is generated by sunlight, wind, rain, plants and geothermal heat. Speak to our tech-enabled team if you want to compare quotes from green suppliers.
What are the best business electricity deals currently available?
Business electricity rates are always changing. The only way to make sure you’re on the best deal is to compare prices and switch. And remember, signing up to a new deal as soon as your switching window opens can help you lock in lower rates and beat any electricity price rises.
Who is the cheapest business electricity supplier?
Because of the way commercial electricity is bought and sold, rates are constantly changing. Suppliers offer various deals depending on when you compare and switch - so the suppliers that are the cheapest change often. That’s why it’s best to carry out a business electricity comparison sooner rather than later – as historically – rates tend to go up and don’t come down much.
Can I cancel my business electricity contract early?
Business electricity contracts don’t offer an early termination option. If you want to cancel your business electricity contract, you’ll need to contact your supplier when your switching window opens. Your contract will still run until its scheduled end date, but cancelling it means your supplier won’t be able to automatically roll you onto a more expensive deal and you can sign up to a better deal with a new supplier. To save you time and hassle, Bionic can do all this on your behalf and will do so automatically as part of our Digital Renewals service.
Do electricity prices and rates vary by region?
Yes, electricity prices vary depending on which part of the country your business is based. The main reason for these regional variations are:
- Supply and demand - How much electricity suppliers are able to sell to customers in that region.
- The cost paid by suppliers - How much electricity suppliers buy from the national grid in that region.
- Transportation costs - How much the local energy electricity distributors for the region charge suppliers for power. This is why electricity energy is often more expensive in rural areas.
With more electricity being generated by sustainable sources, prices are also dropping in areas that can produce their own renewables.
Our experts share essential knowledge on business electricity
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