Business Electricity Claims and Commercial Energy Claims Explained
Business electricity contracts are one of the most significant recurring costs for UK SMEs - and one of the most frequently subject to undisclosed broker commission arrangements. For many businesses, electricity is the primary energy spend, which means the financial impact of hidden commissions can be considerable.
When a broker arranges your business electricity contract, they typically earn a commission calculated as a per-kWh uplift on your unit rate. On a standard half-hourly metered commercial premises consuming 200,000 kWh per year, even a 0.5p per kWh commission adds up to £1,000 per year - or £3,000 over a standard three-year contract.
For larger commercial users - factories, distribution centres, large office blocks - the figures can be significantly higher. We have seen electricity-specific commission claims exceeding £80,000 for single-site businesses.
Common Electricity Contract Types Affected
- Half-Hourly (HH) metered sites: Large commercial and industrial premises with sophisticated metering. Brokers often earned higher commissions on HH contracts.
- Non-Half-Hourly (NHH) metered sites: The standard arrangement for most SME premises - also widely subject to undisclosed commission uplift.
- Multi-site electricity arrangements: Where one broker managed contracts across multiple business locations, the aggregate commission can be very significant.
- I&C (Industrial and Commercial) contracts: Large-scale electricity users often negotiated through brokers with particular supplier relationships and received the least transparency about commission structures.
What You'll Need for an Electricity Claim
- Your business electricity contract(s) or renewal confirmation
- Electricity bills from the contract period showing unit rates
- Any correspondence with your broker or supplier
- Letter of Authority or broker service agreement (if available)
Don't have documents? Your electricity supplier is legally required to retain contract records. We can request these on your behalf using data protection legislation at no cost to you.