Business energy suppliers
Who are the business energy suppliers in the UK?
At Uswitch for Business, we only compare business energy deals from suppliers who offer great service alongside competitive rates.
- British Gas
- Crown
- E.ON
- EDF Energy
- Haven Power
- Octopus Energy
- Opus Energy
- Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE)
- ScottishPower
- Smartest Energy
- Valda Energy.
Although some of the names above are familiar, it’s worth noting that they often have separate business propositions for several reasons, including:
- They operate in a different market, with different protections and regulations, than regular domestic energy firms.
- Separated companies may also offer distinct services, such as Octopus’s multi-site business energy service and British Gas’s separate rates for half-hourly customers, to those offered to the domestic market
- Keeping domestic and business energy companies separate helps direct customers to the correct supplier for their needs - home-based microbusinesses are often directed to the domestic arm as they don’t require a business energy supply.
Business electricity suppliers vs. domestic energy suppliers
While some energy suppliers supply both domestic properties and business premises, comparing business energy suppliers isn't the same as comparing domestic gas and electricity. This is because commercial energy is tailored to the specific needs of your business. While this is good news because it means you get a bespoke plan, it does mean you'd need to contact every provider to get a quote in the first place.
As a business energy broker, we can help you compare energy suppliers all at once to help you find the deal that best suits the needs and budget of your business.
For instance, if you run a large business that uses a lot of energy, we make the switching process simpler with a bespoke procurement service, a bill validation service and a metering and data collection service. If you run your business from multiple locations, we also offer a multi-site metering service.
What are the different types of commercial energy supplier?
Large business energy suppliers
These energy providers are set up to serve larger businesses with higher or more complex energy demands. In addition to fixed and flexible contracts, large business energy suppliers often offer highly tailored contracts that consider the business’s unique energy needs, consumption and appetite for risk regarding the price they pay for their energy.
This type of supplier is best suited for:
- Businesses with multiple sites or high usage
- Firms that use half-hourly meters
- Companies looking for fixed, flexible or bespoke buying options
- Businesses that require more support around their appetite for risk and contract structure.
Independent and specialist business energy suppliers
These suppliers offer tailored solutions to businesses with needs that don’t typically fit a single, straightforward SME setup. Those needs might include carefully calculated time-of-use tariffs to match the business’s unique energy usage, or support for a multi-site setup that involves providing a single bespoke proposition covering the entire property portfolio.
Specialist business energy suppliers will appeal most to:
- SMEs with multiple meters or sites
- Businesses requiring more tailored billing or account management
- Firms with EV charging, load shifting or more variable demand
- Customers looking for a supplier with a commercial focus.
Green and renewable business energy suppliers
Some business energy suppliers focus on providing green energy to businesses with Net Zero goals or a focus on sustainability. Not all renewable energy is equal, so it’s important to understand what to look for when comparing suppliers.
When it comes to renewable electricity, the key things to check are a supplier’s Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (REGO) certificates and its Fuel Mix disclosure. The certificates reveal exactly where the supplier has purchased the renewable electricity, while its Fuel Mix disclosure shows what share of its total electricity mix comes from renewable sources.
When it comes to ‘green gas’, this works differently. Renewable sources of gas - typically biomethane - are injected into the gas grid rather than delivered directly to a business’s premises. Instead, the supplier will purchase Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin (RGGO) certificates from green gas producers - consult these to see exactly where the gas has come from.
Green and renewable business energy suppliers are best for:
- Businesses with sustainability requirements or ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) targets
- Firms looking for tariff options aligned to Net Zero goals
- Organisations requiring clearer renewable electricity or gas disclosures for reporting
- Customers interested in greener branding, low-carbon solutions or on-site generation.
How to choose the best business energy supplier for you
The best energy supplier for your business depends on several factors. There’s the cost of course, but the supplier’s reputation is also important, particularly if you intend to lock yourself into a five-year contract. Other considerations like customer service, billing options and features – read reviews where you can find them. Ultimately, though, it’ll come down to price and contract terms, so make sure you:
1. Compare unit rates and standing charges
Many businesses focus only on unit rates - the cost of each kWh of gas and/or electricity they consume. This is obviously important if your business uses large amounts of energy. While variable contracts provide you with flexibility, just how prepared are you for rising fuel prices? If there’s minimal room for manoeuvre, then a fixed contract (for example), where you know how much you’ll be paying for each unit of energy you consume, is probably a better option than a variable tariff.
But don’t forget the daily fixed standing charge - particularly if your usage is low, as it will make up a greater proportion of your bill. Where possible, compare quotes on a like-for-like basis by using the same estimated annual usage to ensure your chosen option strikes the right balance between the two.
2. Understand renewal and exit terms
Check the following before signing your contract:
- Contract length: One to three years is common, but some deals run for up to five years.
- Renewal window, termination notice and any auto-rollover clauses: this is to avoid finding yourself rolling on to a new deal without having had the opportunity to explore alternatives.
- Out-of-contract rates: find out what happens should your deal expire without a new one being put in place, either with the same supplier or a new one. You may end up on an expensive deemed contract, which is a rolling 28-day tariff.
3. Does the quote fit your meter?
Make sure you identify your meter type and that it’s reflected in the quotes you receive - that’s because regular, smart, multi-rate or half-hourly setups can affect:
- Which suppliers can quote easily
- How billing will work
- How clear your usage data is.
If your business operates across multiple sites, it’s worth seeing whether a prospective supplier can offer consolidated billing for all of them to simplify things, or even a single multi-site plan to cover them all.
4. Avoid billing and admin headaches
Other things worth clarifying to prevent friction down the line include discovering how to submit meter readings to your supplier (assuming you’re not on a smart or half-hourly meter where readings are submitted automatically). Also, check how often you’ll receive bills (and whether they’re paperless or sent by post). You also want to find out how easy it is to notify your supplier of any billing errors and what kind of support it offers if you have any queries or a dispute.
5. Watch for deposits and credit terms
Also, make sure you know how your bill will be paid - is it paid on receipt of the bill, or will you set up a Direct Debit to pay in advance? Check for any additional fees - VAT and the Climate Change Levy (CCL) should be clearly marked, but the supplier should also make it clear what else is charged separately from your daily fixed standing charge and unit costs. It’s also worth finding out whether you’ll need to pay any deposit up front and whether there are credit checks that could affect your business if they fail.
6. Make sure the customer service and support work for you
If you’re unable to choose between quotations, consider these additional billing and administrative considerations as a tiebreaker. Look for:
- Clear bills: ask to view a sample bill from each supplier to get an idea of how the information is presented. Is it clear, transparent and easy to follow?
- Support options: how visible are the supplier’s support lines, and do they match what you need, whether phone, email or online?
- How will the renewals process work at the end of your contract: is it predictable and easy to follow? Will you be given notice when you enter the renewal period?
What types of business energy contracts are available?
The types of contracts that might be available to you can include the following.
| Tariff type | Description | Best for | Look out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-term | The unit rate and standing charge are fixed for the length of the contract | Those looking to secure a stable, predictable price for their energy over a set term | Your prices will be fixed for the contract term, which means you may miss out if energy prices drop during that period |
| Extended | Your current supplier offers you competitive rates to extend your current contract | Businesses locked into a long-term contract with fixed-rate costs well above average energy prices | Make sure the rates are truly competitive as you’ll be locking in for even longer |
| Flex approach | Larger businesses can bulk buy energy for future use to take advantage when prices are lower | Businesses willing to balance risk with predictability by buying energy in advance at potentially low rates | Requires active management and expertise to ensure you act when prices are competitive |
| Pass-through | Splits your bill between paying for the energy you use (which is fixed) and other costs (which are variable). | Businesses with large energy demands that can manage their consumption | No certainty for budgets and requires more administrative work |
If you've moved into new premises without sorting a new business energy deal, you'll be placed on deemed rates by that building's supplier. If you don't arrange a new contract before your current one ends, you'll be placed on out-of-contract rates by your current supplier. In both cases, these rates are usually among a supplier's most expensive, but you can switch at any time.
How much could your business save by switching energy supplier?
The amount your business can save from switching depends on its size, the number of staff you employ and, ultimately, how efficiently it’s run. It’s impossible to say exactly how much your company could save, as all businesses are different. But it’s safe to say that if you haven’t re-negotiated your business’s energy tariff for a few years, then it’s highly likely that you’re now paying more than you should be.
If you need to work out how much energy your business should use, it helps to know how much a business of your size typically consumes.
Below are the average electricity and gas consumption rates for businesses of all sizes. Note, these are indicative averages - your actual quote will depend on your unique setup and circumstances.
Choosing the right supplier for your business
There’s no one-size-fits-all supplier, tariff or contract for all businesses. Factors like your opening hours, how predictable your energy usage is, the number of sites you operate across and even the type of meters installed on your premises will all play a role in helping you decide which supplier and contract to choose. Here’s what to consider depending on the type of business you operate.
Office and professional services
These types of businesses can usually expect fairly predictable weekday energy usage, which makes simple fixed-price contracts easier to compare. What you may want to examine more closely when comparing suppliers is whether they offer clear billing, responsive support and contract terms that fit your likely working pattern.
Examples include:
- Accountancy firms
- Solicitors
- Agencies
- Consultancies
- Clinics
- Call centres
- Co-working spaces.
Commercial landlords and multi-occupancy sites
Here, your main concerns are likely to be over who is responsible for the energy supply, how the meters are arranged and whether costs need to be split or recharged. This is an example where a supplier offering a multi-site proposition could prove an advantage - one thing to look out for is how the contract is set up to handle premises changing hands.
Examples include:
- Business parks
- Serviced offices
- Shopping centres
- Managed workspaces
- Industrial estates
- Multi-let units.
Trades and small service businesses
These types of businesses operate from smaller premises but have less predictable usage, depending on staffing levels and whether they operate off-site as well as on. When comparing suppliers, focus on the full bill - including the fixed daily standing charge, which can be a significant factor for smaller sites with lower overall usage.
Examples include:
- Builders
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Decorators
- Joiners
- Mechanics/garages
- Cleaners.
High street retail
Depending on the type of retail business, factors influencing your energy usage might include daytime trading hours, seasonal footfall and possibly lighting and refrigeration loads. Again, don’t simply focus on unit costs but look at contract flexibility, support and how costs will stack up during quieter periods as well as busy ones. It may be smart to examine different tariffs - including multi-rate and time-of-use tariffs to see if savings can be made.
Examples include:
- Newsagents
- Off-licences
- Convenience stores
- Bakers
- Barbers/hairdressers
- Takeaways
- Small shops.
Hospitality and leisure
These types of businesses usually operate longer opening hours than regular retail operations, with sharper seasonal swings and more variable demand. Again, compare both unit rates and daily standing charges, and consider whether the contract offers enough flexibility if usage changes throughout the year.
Examples include:
- Cafés
- Pubs
- Restaurants
- Hotels and B&Bs
- Gyms
- Salons or spas
- Venues like theatres or cinemas.
Industrial and workshops
Workshops and other industrial sites tend to have higher energy demands, linked to more specialist equipment or more detailed usage patterns, as measured by half-hourly meters. While this can make choosing a tariff more complex, the detailed information offered through this type of metering should help guide you towards suppliers better suited to your individual needs.
Examples include
- Warehouses
- Distribution units
- Light manufacturing
- Fabrication
- Printing
- Food production units
- Cold storage sites.
Charities and community organisations
These groups often work from sites with variable occupancy, have mixed opening patterns and run on tight budgets, so simple billing and clear contract terms are almost as important as the price. Other considerations include the size of the standing charges (particularly in low-usage premises), meter arrangements and who is responsible for the supply if they share buildings or use community premises.
Examples include:
- Charity shops
- Community centres
- Places of worship
- Social enterprises
- Clubs
- Children’s nurseries.
Multi-site businesses
Usually, a multi-site business will need more than looking at basic switches for each individual premises when contracts come up. Specific needs include centralised account management, aligned renewals across all your sites, and consistent billing and visibility across multiple locations, enabling you to monitor sites individually.
Examples include:
- Franchises
- Chains
- Hospitality groups
- Any organisations operating out of multiple offices or locations.
What types of business energy contracts are available?
Most business energy suppliers will offer contracts that last for between one and three years. Some will offer up to five years. That's why it makes sense to speak to one of our experts and find out which will best suit your business.
We'll also talk you through the types of contracts that are available to you, which could include the following:
- Fixed-term tariffs - the unit rate and standing charge are fixed for the length of the contract
- Extended tariffs - your current supplier offers you competitive rates to extend your current contract
- Flex approach tariffs - larger businesses can bulk buy energy for future use to take advantage when prices are lower
- Pass-through tariffs - splits your bill between paying for the energy you use (which is fixed) and other costs (which are variable).
If you've moved into new premises without sorting a new business energy deal, you'll be placed on deemed rates by that building's supplier. If you don't arrange a new contract before your current one ends, you'll be placed on out-of-contract rates by your current supplier. In both cases, these rates are usually among a supplier's most expensive, but you can switch at any time.
How much could your business save by switching energy supplier?
The amount your business can save from switching depends on its size, the number of staff you employ and, ultimately, how efficiently it’s run. It’s impossible to say exactly how much your company could save, as all businesses are different. But it’s safe to say that if you haven’t re-negotiated your business’s energy tariff for a few years, then it’s highly likely that you’re now paying more than you should be.
If you need to work out how much energy your business should be using, it helps to know how much energy a business of your size should be using.
Below are the average electricity and gas consumption rates for businesses of all sizes.
| Business size | Average annual electricity usage | Price per kWh | Daily standing charge | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microbusiness | 5,000-15,000 kWh | 25.3p | 46.5p | £2,700 (based on annual usage of 10,000 kWh) |
| Small business | 15,000-25,000 kWh | 23.9p | 56.5p | £4,986 (based on annual usage of 20,000 kWh) |
| Medium business | 25,000-55,000 kWh | 22.6p | 69.5p | £9,294 (based on annual usage of 40,000 kWh) |
| Large business | 55,000+ kWh | 22.7p | 121.8p | £12,930 (based on annual usage of 55,000 kWh) |
Note: Prices are correct as of March 2026. 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 received by Bionic from our panel of suppliers from March 1 to March 6, 2026.
| Business size | Average annual gas usage | Price per kWh | Daily standing charge | Average annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microbusiness | 5,000-15,000 kWh | 6.5p | 31.7p | £766 (based on annual usage of 10,000 kWh) |
| Small business | 15,001-30,000 kWh | 5.7p | 36.2p | £1,415 (based on annual usage of 22,500 kWh) |
| Medium business | 30,001-65,000 kWh | 5.2p | 53.1p | £2,664 (based on annual usage of 47,500 kWh) |
| Large business | 65,000+ kWh | 5.3p | 39.4p | £3,589 (based on annual usage of 65,000 kWh) |
Note: Prices are correct as of March 2026. 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 received by Bionic from our panel of suppliers from March 1 to March 6, 2026.
Before you compare: a checklist
Before you look to compare quotes from different suppliers with one eye on switching, make sure you do the following to ensure those quotes are as accurate as possible:
- Track down your latest bill and have it to hand
- Verify your current contract’s notice window and renewal date if applicable
- Take an up-to-date meter reading - doubly important if you’ve just moved into new premises
- Make sure your annual usage figure is realistic - don’t rely on estimated bills or past usage
- Check the meter type(s) - such as smart or half-hourly - for your gas and/or electricity supplies
- Again, verify your VAT rate if you haven’t yet done so.
How to reduce costs before switching
While you look for a better deal, make sure you’re getting the most from your current energy deal by:
- Taking and submitting meter readings if you haven’t recently done so - if your business uses a smart or half-hourly meter, take a reading to compare with your online account or current bill to make sure it’s accurate
- Checking how long your current contract has to run - make sure you haven’t rolled over to a more expensive contract (such as a rolling 28-day deemed tariff)
- Verifying your VAT rate - if you’re running a microbusiness or are a sole trader and your usage is low enough, you may qualify for the 5% VAT rate rather than the full 20% rate. Find out more with our guide to VAT on business gas and electric bills.
- Reviewing your latest bill - in addition to checking the meter readings on your bill, also verify other details, such as meter type(s) and serial number(s), read dates, fixed charges and so on, are correct.
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FAQs
How long does it take to switch business energy supplier?
Switching gas and electricity suppliers should be completed within five working days.
Although you can start comparing prices as soon as your switching window opens, the switch won't actually take place until your current contract has ended. Even so, it's often worth locking your rates in as soon as your switching window opens as this can help protect against future price rises.
What if my business energy supplier goes bust?
If your business energy supplier goes bust, don't worry - you won't lose your energy supply. Ofgem will appoint a new supplier to take on customers of the old supplier, but you'll be put on a deemed tariff, so it's worth looking for a new contract once your switchover has been confirmed.
Who is the best business energy supplier in the UK?
The best business energy supplier varies for everyone because different businesses have specific needs that certain suppliers are better equipped to handle.
Are business energy suppliers cheaper than domestic suppliers?
Not usually - while unit rates can be comparable, business energy contracts are usually longer than domestic contracts, so in the long run they will be more expensive. There's also no price cap protecting business customers from high rates, so those not on fixed deals could find themselves paying extremely high rates compared to domestic rates.
Can small businesses use commercial business suppliers?
Yes - there are a lot of commercial energy contracts specifically aimed at meeting the energy needs of small businesses and microbusinesses.
Do business energy companies offer renewable electricity?
Some do - a business energy broker will be able to help you find suppliers that offer green electricity.
How do I find out who supplies my new business premises?
Speak to the property’s landlord or manager – if they can’t help, use the following tools:
- Electricity: use the Energy Networks Association postcode tool to identify the network operator, then contact it to get the supplier details
- Gas: use the online Find My Supplier postcode tool, which will list your gas supplier.
Can I switch if I’m in contract (or near the end)?
In most cases, you cannot switch contracts until you enter the final few months of the contract or it ends - check the contract for details on when that period is and whether you can switch earlier by paying an exit fee. Some rollover contracts may have no end date, which means you’ll need to give notice (up to 12 months, but check the contract details) before you can switch.
What is a microbusiness contract (and does it change anything)?
Microbusiness contracts are aimed at sole traders and businesses with few (0-10) employees and low annual gas and/or electricity usage. These contracts come with extra protections and guarantees around renewals and contracts, including limits on rollover terms, but you will still need to check your contract to find out whether you can switch (and how much it might cost) before it ends.
What if I have a problem with my supplier or my bill?
Start by contacting your supplier, making sure you keep a written record of any phone or webchat. If the issue isn’t resolved, follow up with a written email or letter to ensure there’s a record of the complaint. If you subsequently receive a deadlock letter or the issue hasn’t been resolved after eight weeks, you may be able to take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman if you’re a small or microbusiness.