10+ Best Business Energy Suppliers in UK (2023) - Switch Squid

Understanding your business energy options - both gas and electricity - in today’s competitive market is of utmost importance. Switchsquid.com offers this comprehensive guide that can assist both small business owners and large corporations navigate through all the complexities associated with the UK’s business energy landscape.

In this guide, you will learn about the different types of business energy tariffs, how to compare and switch suppliers, and how to save money and reduce your carbon footprint by choosing green energy. You will also find out which are the best business energy suppliers in the UK for 2023, based on customer satisfaction, pricing, and environmental credentials.

Whether you are looking for a fixed or variable rate, a long-term or short-term contract, or a renewable or non-renewable source of energy, this guide will help you make an informed decision that suits your business needs and budget. You will also discover some useful tips and tricks on how to manage your energy consumption and bills more efficiently.

Top 10 Business Energy Suppliers in UK Suppliers in 2023

Following is the comparison of Business Energy Suppliers:

These suppliers represent various options that can meet your business energy needs, including traditional and green energy products. Using Switchsquid.com, you can compare these suppliers and find the best fit for your organization.

List of Business Energy Supplier Comapnies

SSE

SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) is one of the big six energy suppliers in the UK, providing gas and electricity to over 9.5 million customers. It was formed in 1998 and is now the second largest UK energy company. SSE claims to be the largest energy generator using renewable sources in the UK, with a portfolio of wind, hydro, solar and biomass projects. SSE offers simplified tariffs, clear rates and flexible contract terms for business customers. However, SSE also has some disadvantages, such as price increases, average customer service ratings and lower competitiveness compared to smaller suppliers.

Reasons to Buy:

• Simplified tariffs and clear rates for business customers
• Flexible contract terms, ranging from one month to five years
• The largest energy generator using renewable sources in the UK, with a portfolio of wind, hydro, solar and biomass projects

Reasons to Avoid:

• Price increases, in April 2017 SSE customers experienced an average of 14.9% raise in standard electricity prices
• Average customer service ratings, scoring 67% in the Which? customer survey and 64% in the Which? assessment score
• Lower competitiveness compared to smaller suppliers, as SSE’s prices are often higher than the market average

Bulb

Bulb was an independent energy supplier that was founded in 2013 and acquired by Octopus Energy in 2022. Bulb provided 100% renewable electricity and carbon neutral gas to over 1.7 million customers, making it the UK’s largest renewable energy supplier. Bulb offered low and transparent prices, excellent customer service and innovative technologies such as smart meters, EV chargers and solar panels. Bulb also supported community energy projects and offset its carbon emissions through tree planting and carbon reduction schemes. However, Bulb faced financial difficulties due to rising wholesale gas prices and became the first energy company to enter special administration in November 2021. Octopus Energy took over Bulb’s customers and staff in December 2021.

Reasons to Buy:

• Low and transparent prices, offering a single variable tariff that reflects the wholesale cost of energy
• Excellent customer service, scoring 54% in the Which? customer survey and 72% in the Which? assessment score
• Innovative technologies, such as smart meters, EV chargers and solar panels

Reasons to Avoid:

• Financial difficulties, due to rising wholesale gas prices and becoming the first energy company to enter special administration in November 2021
• Loss of independence, as Bulb was acquired by Octopus Energy in December 2021
• Variable tariff, which means that prices can change at any time depending on the market conditions

OVO Energy

OVO Energy is an award-winning energy supplier that was launched in 2009 and now serves over 5 million customers across the UK. OVO Energy provides 100% renewable electricity and green gas to its customers, as well as a range of energy solutions such as smart meters, EV chargers, boilers, heat pumps and solar panels. OVO Energy aims to help its customers reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills through its online account, mobile app and personalised advice. OVO Energy also supports various initiatives to tackle climate change, such as the Zero Carbon Heating Trial, the Electric Nation Vehicle-to-Grid project and the OVO Foundation

Reasons to Buy:

• 100% renewable electricity and green gas for all customers, as well as a range of green tariffs that offer additional benefits such as carbon offsetting and tree planting
• Award-winning customer service, scoring 50% in the Which? customer survey and 76% in the Which? assessment score
• Energy solutions, such as smart meters, EV chargers, boilers, heat pumps and solar panels

Reasons to Avoid:

• Price increases, in October 2021 OVO Energy raised its standard variable tariff by 12%, following the increase in the energy price cap
• Complaints handling, as OVO Energy was fined £8.9 million by Ofgem in January 2020 for overcharging customers and providing inaccurate information
• Green gas, which is not fully renewable but rather carbon neutral, as it is made from a mix of biomethane and conventional gas that is offset by carbon reduction schemes

EDF Energy

EDF Energy is a subsidiary of Electricite de France (EDF), one of the world’s largest electricity companies. EDF Energy supplies gas and electricity to over 5 million customers in the UK, both residential and business. EDF Energy is the UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity, generating power from nuclear, wind, solar and other renewable sources. EDF Energy offers fixed and variable tariffs, as well as green tariffs that match 100% of the electricity consumption with renewable generation. EDF Energy also provides a variety of energy services, such as smart meters, EV chargers, home insulation and heating systems. EDF Energy is involved in several major projects to develop low-carbon energy infrastructure in the UK, such as Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, Sizewell C nuclear power station and Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm.

Reasons to Buy:

• The UK’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity, generating power from nuclear, wind, solar and other renewable sources
• Fixed and variable tariffs, as well as green tariffs that match 100% of the electricity consumption with renewable generation
• Energy services, such as smart meters, EV chargers, home insulation and heating systems

Reasons to Avoid:

• Price increases, in October 2021 EDF Energy raised its standard variable tariff by 12%, following the increase in the energy price cap
• Customer service ratings, scoring N/A in both the Which? customer survey and the Which? assessment score
• Nuclear power, which is controversial due to its environmental and safety risks, as well as its high cost and long-term waste disposal issues

ScottishPower

ScottishPower is the first integrated energy company in the UK to generate 100% green electricity from wind, nuclear and solar sources. ScottishPower supplies gas and electricity to over 5 million customers in the UK, offering fixed and variable tariffs, as well as green tariffs that support community power projects across Britain. ScottishPower also provides a range of energy solutions for homes and businesses, such as smart meters, EV chargers, boilers, heat pumps and solar panels. ScottishPower is committed to investing in low-carbon energy technologies and infrastructure to help Britain achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Reasons to Buy:

• The first integrated energy company in the UK to generate 100% green electricity from wind, nuclear and solar sources
• Fixed and variable tariffs, as well as green tariffs that support community power projects across Britain
• Energy solutions for homes and businesses, such as smart meters, EV chargers, boilers, heat pumps and solar panels

Reasons to Avoid:

• Price increases, in October 2021 ScottishPower raised its standard variable tariff by 12%, following the increase in the energy price cap
• Customer service ratings, scoring N/A in both the Which? customer survey and the Which? assessment score
• Wind power, which is dependent on weather conditions and can be unreliable or intermittent at times

Renewable Business Energy Profiles

Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy is an independent energy supplier that was founded in 2015 and now serves over 2.5 million customers across the UK. Octopus Energy provides 100% renewable electricity and carbon neutral gas to its customers, as well as a range of innovative products and services such as smart meters, EV chargers, green tariffs and flexible contracts. Octopus Energy is also a leading investor in renewable energy generation, owning and operating solar farms, wind turbines and anaerobic digestion plants. Octopus Energy has won several awards for its customer service, pricing and environmental performance, including the Which? Recommended Provider for energy for four years in a row.

Reasons to Buy:

• 100% renewable electricity and carbon neutral gas for all customers
• Competitive and transparent prices, offering a single variable tariff that reflects the wholesale cost of energy

Reasons to Avoid:

• Variable tariff, which means that prices can change at any time depending on the market conditions
• Limited green gas supply, which is not fully renewable but rather carbon neutral, as it is made from a mix of biomethane and conventional gas that is offset by carbon reduction schemes
• High demand, which can sometimes lead to delays in switching or customer service response times

E.ON Next:

E.ON Next is a new energy brand that was launched in 2020 by E.ON, one of the big six energy suppliers in the UK. E.ON Next provides gas and electricity to over 3 million customers in the UK, both residential and business. E.ON Next offers fixed and variable tariffs, as well as green tariffs that match 100% of the electricity consumption with renewable generation. E.ON Next also provides a variety of energy solutions, such as smart meters, EV chargers, boilers, heat pumps and solar panels. E.ON Next is part of E.ON’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2040 and to help its customers achieve net zero emissions by 2050

Reasons to Buy:

• Fixed and variable tariffs, as well as green tariffs that match 100% of the electricity consumption with renewable generation
• Energy solutions, such as smart meters, EV chargers, boilers, heat pumps and solar panels

Reasons to Avoid:

• Price increases, in October 2021 E.ON Next raised its standard variable tariff by 12%, following the increase in the energy price cap
• Green gas, which is not available for business customers
• Complaints handling, as E.ON was fined £650,000 by Ofgem in February 2020 for failing to compensate customers for missed appointments

British Gas Lite:

British Gas Lite is a new energy brand that was launched in 2018 by British Gas, one of the big six energy suppliers in the UK. British Gas Lite is designed for small businesses that want to manage their energy online and save money on their bills. British Gas Lite provides gas and electricity to over 400,000 business customers in the UK, offering fixed tariffs with clear rates and flexible contract terms. British Gas Lite also provides smart meters and online account management tools to help customers monitor and control their energy consumption and bills. British Gas Lite is part of British Gas’s commitment to support small businesses and to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

Advantages:
Fixed tariffs with clear rates and flexible contract terms for business customers
Smart meters and online account management tools to help customers monitor and control their energy consumption and bills
Customer service, scoring 67% in the Which? customer survey and 64% in the Which? assessment score
Disadvantages:
Price increases, in October 2021 British Gas Lite raised its standard variable tariff by 12%, following the increase in the energy price cap
Renewable energy, which is not available for business customers
Webchat support, which is not available for business customers

Co-op Energy: Co-op Energy is an ethical energy supplier that was founded in 2010 and is now part of Octopus Energy Group. Co-op Energy provides gas and electricity to over 300,000 customers across the UK, both residential and business. Co-op Energy offers fixed and variable tariffs, as well as green tariffs that match 100% of the electricity consumption with renewable generation from community-owned sources. Co-op Energy also provides smart meters, EV chargers and solar panels to its customers, as well as supporting various social and environmental initiatives such as the Co-op Community Power, the Co-op Foundation and the Co-op Carbon Offset Fund. Co-op Energy is a member of the Midcounties Co-operative, which is owned and run by its members and follows the co-operative values and principles.

Advantages:
Fixed and variable tariffs, as well as green tariffs that match 100% of the electricity consumption with renewable generation from community-owned sources
Ethical and co-operative values and principles, which guide the business decisions and actions of Co-op Energy
Customer service, scoring 56% in the Which? customer survey and 72% in the Which? assessment score
Disadvantages:
Price increases, in October 2021 Co-op Energy raised its standard variable tariff by 12%, following the increase in the energy price cap
Green gas, which is not available for business customers
Complaints handling, as Co-op Energy was fined £1.8 million by Ofgem in October 2016 for failing to resolve customer complaints in a timely manner

Section 1: Understanding Your Energy Options

Finding Your Energy Supplier

Your business energy requirements can only be fulfilled by licensed energy suppliers approved to do business in the UK. Switchsquid.com helps find one that best matches your company's energy requirements. To identify your energy supplier, refer to your business energy bill or get in touch with your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO).

Business Electricity and Business Gas: What Is the Difference?

Both are essential, with business electricity typically used for lighting, appliances, and machinery, while business gas may be utilized for heating and cooking. Your supplier and tariff options might depend on your specific needs.

Section 2: Factors to Consider When Selecting a Business Energy Supplier

Price

Price can often be the deciding factor, so use Switchsquid.com to compare business energy rates for maximum cost efficiency.

Renewable Energy Options

Green tariffs have grown increasingly popular. If you want to support sustainability, look for suppliers offering renewable energy.

Customer Support

Reputable suppliers are key. Read reviews and consider vendors with outstanding reputations for customer support.

Reliability

Dependable energy supplies are essential for uninterrupted business operations, so evaluating supplier reliability is crucial.

Added Value Features

Look for features with added value such as smart meters, energy efficiency advice, or customized billing options that could benefit your business.

Section 3: Switch Business Energy Suppliers

Switchsquid provides detailed comparisons of business gas and electricity prices, helping you make an informed decision.

Select the Appropriate Supplier

Choose a supplier and tariff that meet your business needs and budget requirements.

Implementing the Switch

Reach out to your new supplier through Switchsquid.com to start the switching process. Provide all relevant details, and they will oversee the transition.

Section 4: Tips for Lowering Business Energy Costs

Energy Efficiency Measures

Implement energy-saving measures like LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and proper insulation.

Maintain Regular Monitoring

Regularly assess your energy use to identify areas for potential savings.

Utilizing Smart Technology

Smart meters and energy management systems can give you real-time insight into and control over your energy consumption.

Conclusion

Selecting a business energy supplier can have a lasting impact on your bottom line. By understanding all your options for gas and electricity suppliers on Switchsquid.com, you can make decisions that align with your organization's values and needs. From researching top suppliers to implementing energy-saving measures, this guide offers insights to empower your choices. Leverage Switchsquid.com, an essential comparison site for business energy in the UK, and start taking control of your energy needs today.