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Best Business Energy Suppliers | November 2024

With over 50 licensed business energy suppliers in Britain, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Each supplier offers something unique, making the decision tough.

Our energy experts have created this guide to help you find the best business energy supplier for your business. We begin with the top-rated suppliers on Trustpilot:

NoSupplierAverage reviewReviewsCustomer
1Assured Energy5.0775Business
2United Gas and Power4.9868Business
3Octopus Energy4.8407,672Home and Business
4Good Energy4.812,180Home and Business
5Shell Business Energy4.8140Business
6Total Energies4.76,036Business
7EDF4.6101,384Home and Business
8Opus Energy4.57,566Business
9E.ON next4.4118,277Home and Business
10Ecotricity4.35,842Home and Business

Source: AquaSwitch’s Business Energy Supplier Rankings

 

The big six business energy suppliers

The term ‘big six’ describes the energy suppliers that have dominated the market since deregulation in the 1990s. The big six has changed over time through mergers, acquisitions and new entrants. Here, our experts summarise the current six biggest business energy suppliers:

British Gas

British Gas

Founded in 1812 as The Gas Light and Coke Company, British Gas is the oldest entity in the UK’s energy industry. It played a pivotal role in developing Britain’s gas market. Today British Gas is a major domestic and business energy supplier.

EDF

EDF

EDF, originally known as Électricité de France, was founded in 1946 following the nationalization of France’s electricity producers, transporters, and distributors. EDF entered the UK market in 2002 and has since been a major player, focusing heavily on low-carbon electricity from nuclear power.

E.ON

E.ON

E.ON has invested in various large-scale renewable projects and has recently agreed to build the UK’s largest roof-mounted solar project at the Port of Liverpool. E.ON’s business energy offerings include the brand nPower.

SSE

SSE

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) was formed in 1998 through the merger of Scottish Hydro Electric and Southern Electric. SSE is a leading generator of renewable electricity and a distribution network operator in Scotland.

Drax & Opus

Drax & Opus

Opus Energy, established in 2002, carved out a niche by supplying energy primarily to businesses, distinguishing itself from competitors by focusing on the unique needs of small companies. Opus is now part of the Drax Group.

Octopus

Octopus

Founded in 2015, Octopus Energy quickly established itself as an innovator in the British energy market. Known for its customer-centric approach and transparency, Octopus has been a pioneer in smart energy tariffs, including a 21-hour off-peak electricity contract.

Finding the right business energy supplier for a small business

Choosing the right energy supplier is crucial for small businesses. Our experts summarise the three most important considerations when choosing your next business energy supplier:

Cost-effectiveness

Cost-effectiveness

Compare business energy prices to find the most competitive suppliers. Look for transparent pricing structures without hidden fees, and consider the expected annual cost of contracts rather than just the unit rate.

Customer support

Customer support

Good customer service can make a significant difference, especially when issues arise. Choose a supplier that provides responsive, accessible support and services tailored to small businesses’ unique needs.

Additional benefits

Additional benefits

Some suppliers may offer perks such as energy audits, efficiency advice, or smart business energy meters at no extra cost. These features can help you manage and reduce unnecessary energy consumption, saving your business money.

The key factors to consider when choosing a business energy supplier

The key factors to consider when choosing a business energy supplier. Our commercial energy experts share essential tips to help you choose the best energy supplier for your business.

Review prices on offer

Review prices on offer

Business energy suppliers offer their best deals as fixed tariffs to attract new customers.

Find the business energy supplier offering the best rates on our business electricity prices and business gas prices pages.

Check supplier reputation

Check supplier reputation

If you’re thinking of switching to a new business energy supplier that is cheap but you’ve not sure if they are good we recommend searching “[Supplier name] trustpilot” and look at the reviews being left by real customers.

Assess suppliers green credentials

Assess suppliers green credentials

The best business energy suppliers directly invest in renewable energy infrastructure such as wind farms and hydroelectric dams.

We recommend visiting the website of your a prospective supplier to review their green credentials.

Review supplier energy types

Review supplier energy types

The regulator Ofgem separately licences commercial gas and business electricity suppliers. Check that your chosen supplier offers all the energy your business needs.

Do they offer energy exports?

Do they offer energy exports?

If investing in solar panels at your commercial property is something your considering check that your business energy supplier is signed up to the Smart Export Tariff scheme.

Check the latest list on Ofgem’s website.

Do they offer analytics tools?

Do they offer analytics tools?

The best business energy suppliers offer smart meters or half-hourly meters which measure electricity consumption continually providing data insights.

These suppliers will give you access to data analytics to help you optimise your energy usage.

Green business energy suppliers

Green business energy suppliers differentiate themselves by focusing on renewable and low-carbon energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric.

These suppliers allow businesses to reduce their environmental impact and support the transition to net zero. In 2024, most business energy suppliers offer green business electricity tariffs alongside their standard tariffs, where energy is generated from various sources, including gas power stations.

Here are three business energy suppliers who provide green business energy tariffs:

Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy

Renowned for its 100% renewable electricity across all tariffs, Octopus is a top pick for businesses aiming to go green. It also offers smart tariffs that help you save by optimising energy usage during off-peak hours, making it eco-friendly and cost-efficient.

Ecotricity

Ecotricity

Ecotricity supplies 100% renewable electricity from wind and solar power. Around 20% of their energy is self-generated, with the rest sourced from other renewable producers, ensuring a cleaner energy future.

Good Energy

Good Energy

This supplier delivers 100% renewable electricity and offers a green gas tariff with 10% biomethane. The rest is offset through carbon reduction projects, making it a sustainable option for homes and businesses focused on lowering their carbon footprint.

Commercial energy suppliers

Commercial energy suppliers are pivotal in providing businesses of all sizes with the electricity and gas they need to operate.

Unlike domestic suppliers, commercial suppliers offer energy solutions tailored to the unique demands of businesses, which can include higher consumption rates and the need for more complex metering and billing systems.

In this section, we’ll cover those key questions regarding the role of a business energy supplier.

What is a business energy supplier?

A business energy supplier is a company licensed by Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, to purchase and distribute electricity and gas to commercial properties.

These suppliers operate within a regulated framework, ensuring that they meet certain standards of reliability and customer service.

A business energy supplier will conduct regular meter readings to measure electricity and gas consumption at each of their sites and bill for the energy used with:

Should I use a broker to find a new business energy supplier?

Many businesses find it smart to use a broker to find a new business energy supplier. Brokers save time by comparing quotes from multiple suppliers and often secure exclusive deals through their industry connections.

Business energy brokers offer expert advice tailored to your business’s needs, helping you choose the best contract terms and ensuring both cost-efficiency and reliability.

A good broker will also provide ongoing support, helping you manage business energy contracts and improve energy efficiency

Which business energy supplier is best for large businesses?

Choosing the right energy supplier for large businesses involves navigating a complex array of factors due to the scale and diversity of their energy needs.

Large enterprises often manage multiple properties across locations, with high-consumption sites requiring half-hourly metering.

Several business energy suppliers specialise in offering large business energy solutions, including Drax and nPower.

It’s impossible to single out an individual business energy supplier that is best for large businesses. We recommend tendering with several suppliers to analyse their bespoke offerings when choosing a large business energy supplier.

What happens if my business energy supplier goes out of business?

Ofgem, the energy regulator in the UK, protects customers in the case of a business energy supplier going bust, ensuring that electricity or gas supplies are not interrupted.

The process of an energy supplier going bust will involve either:

  • Ofgem appoints a new supplier who will take over from your current supplier.
  • Ofgem puts the supplier into administration to ensure they can continue to operate (this was the case for failed supplier Bulb).