BUSINESS ELECTRICITY COMPARISON

So, what’s the typical cost of business electricity rates per kWh? It depends on how much energy your business uses. Here’s a quick guide to the latest business electricity prices by business size: 

June 2025 business electricity usage, rates, and bills

^{Note: Prices are correct as of June 2025. 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 June 1 to June 6, 2025.}

These are averages, so your actual business electricity costs might be higher or lower depending on factors like your location or energy efficiency. 

Finding the best commercial electricity rates can feel like a chore, especially when it’s not as straightforward as switching your household energy. 

But don’t worry, running a business electricity comparison doesn’t have to be a hassle. Getting a bit of help from the experts at MoneySuperMarket means you can compare business electricity prices from a panel of suppliers in just one call. We'll help you find a contract that suits the needs of your business and help keep costs under control.

Here’s everything you need to know about business electricity rates, tariffs, and how to get the best deal for your business. 

Business electricity prices work differently from domestic rates because commercial energy use is more complex. Even if two businesses look the same on paper - operating from a high street premises with five employees - if one is a salon and one is a takeaway, how and when they use energy will be very different.

That's why you can’t just hop onto an off-the-shelf tariff like you would at home. Instead, your business electricity rate is tailored to suit: 

• The type and size of your business 
• The size of your premises 
• Your estimated electricity use 

For example, if you’re running a small shop, your electricity demands will look very different from a factory or office building. And if you’re a large business with high electricity needs, you might even need a half-hourly meter to track your energy use in real-time. 

If you've got more than one site, you’ll likely need multiple meters. A quick call to an energy expert can help you sort out the best business electricity tariffs for multi-site businesses. 

When comparing business electricity deals, you’ll notice suppliers typically offer two types of tariffs - fixed-rate and variable-rate. Most people opt for a fixed tariff as rates are usually cheaper, and this type of contract helps protect against price volatility. 

Here are the main differences between the two main types of business energy contracts:

Fixed-rate tariffs 

• Lock in your business electricity rates for the length of your contract (usually 1–5 years) 
• Great for budgeting since your per-unit price stays the same 
• Shields you from market price hikes 

Variable-rate tariffs 

• Rates go up or down depending on wholesale market changes 
• You might save if prices drop, but your bills could rise if prices climb 

Most businesses prefer fixed rates because they’re predictable. But if you like flexibility and don’t mind a bit of risk, variable rates could work for you.

But before you commit to any electricity contract, you need to make sure it's right for your business. And you need to consider things like when you use power. If your business mainly operates out of 'normal' business hours, then a time-of-use tariff could be a good option as it will offer lower commercial electricity rates during times when there is less demand.

Running a business electricity comparison is the simplest way to find the cheapest business electricity rates. But calling multiple suppliers, explaining your needs, and jotting down quotes can be time-consuming, especially if you need quotes for both business gas and electricity.

That's why using a comparison service to do the heavy lifting can save you time and hassle. A quick call to the energy experts at MoneySuperMarket means you can compare rates from a panel of business electricity suppliers in minutes. 

We use smart data to cut the amount of form-filling you need to do, but it might help if you have the following to hand when you get started: 

• Your current supplier and tariff details 
• How much electricity your business uses annually (check your bill) 
• The type of meter you have 

Once we've compared rates, we'll talk you through the quotes to make sure you're completely happy. You then choose the supplier you like best and we'll support you with the switch.

What factors affect business electricity prices? 

Your business electricity rate are influenced by a mix of factors: 

• Business type: Energy-intensive industries pay more 
• Location: Distribution charges vary across regions 
• Tariff type: Fixed, variable, or bespoke tariffs impact pricing 

Unlike domestic energy, business electricity prices don’t have a price cap, so they’re more affected by market changes. That's why it's important to compare quotes and fix your rates before your current deal ends and your supplier rolls you onto its more expensive out-of-contract rates.

Switching suppliers isn’t quite as fast for businesses as it is for households. You shouldn't start to compare business electricity prices until your current contract enters its renewal window. This can be up to six months before your current contract's end date.

If you do sign a new contract at this point, this won't start until your current contract ends. But it can still pay to lock in your rates early, as this helps shield you from price volatility - if business electricity rates go up during this time, you'll have saved money by switching early. 

If you’re a microbusiness, it’s easier. Ofgem rules let you give notice to switch at any point in your contract, subject to a notice period.

If you're out of contract, switching business electricity suppliers can take as little as five days if you run a microbusiness, or up to four weeks for any other-sized business. The timeline depends on your current contract’s end date and the size of your business. 

While you can run a business electricity comparison and line up a new contract as soon as your switching window opens, your new supplier won’t start supplying your business until your current contract ends. 

And remember, when you switch, there won’t be any interruptions to your supply. 

The savings can vary depending on your business type and energy use, but if you’ve been with the same supplier for years, you’re probably overpaying. 

To get an idea of how much you could save by switching today, take a look at the unit rate and standing charge on your latest business electricity bill. Then check out the latest business electricity prices at the top of this page and see how they compare. If today's rates are lower, then you could save by switching.

If today's rates aren't lower, check them against the renewal rates offered by your supplier. Even if the rates you've been offered by your current supplier are lower than those above, it's still worth running a business electricity comparison to see how they stack up against the cheapest business electricity prices offered by our panel of suppliers.

Many businesses can save just by switching from their supplier’s out-of-contract rates to a more competitive business electricity tariff. 

Electricity prices have been volatile in recent years but the market seems to have calmed over the last 12 months. Even so, prices are still much higher than pre-Covid levels and are now rising steadily.

Businesses often feel the pinch more than households because there’s no price cap. To protect your business, focus on locking in a good deal with a fixed-rate business electricity tariff and improving energy efficiency to cut your usage.

Running a business electricity comparison with MoneySuperMarket is a quick and easy way to find cheaper rates. Once you've sorted out your next contract, you should look at ways to cut your usage and make your business more energy-efficient. Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:

• Invest in energy-efficient tech: Switch to LED lighting, install energy-rated appliances, and consider smart thermostats to optimise your energy use.  
• Upgrade your premises: Insulate your building, upgrade windows to double glazing, and seal any draughts.  
• Optimise heating and cooling: Turning the thermostat down by just 1°C can save a surprising amount of energy.  
• Get an energy audit: Identify inefficiencies in your energy use and make the necessary changes.