The Government approved the Energy Bills Discount Scheme on the 1st of April 2023 and it will run for a period of 12 months, ending on the 31st of March 2024. This scheme replaces the Energy Bill Relief Scheme ...
- Baseline Discount: This aspect provides partial support for energy bills to eligible non-domestic customers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The support will be automatically applied.
- Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) Discount: This element offers a higher level of support to businesses and organisations operating in eligible sectors. To avail of this support, applicants need to submit an application.
- Heat Network Discount: This part provides a higher level of support to heat networks catering to domestic end consumers. Applicants must apply for this specific support.
Eligible organisations have a period of 90 days, starting from 26th April 2023, to apply for this enhanced support. New organisations or those recently deemed eligible will have 90 days from the date of their eligibility to apply.
The Energy Bills Discount Scheme was established through regulations outlined in the Energy Prices Act 2022. These regulations came into force on the 26th of April 2023, and the discount will be applied to bills from the 1st of April 2023.
The scheme is open to all non-domestic energy consumers with a licensed energy supplier:
- Businesses
- Voluntary sector organisations such as charities
- Public sector organisations like schools, hospitals, and care homes
Eligible entities must fall under one of the following categories:
- Existing fixed price contracts agreed on or after 1st December 2021
- Signing new fixed price contracts
- Deemed/out of contract or variable tariffs
- Flexible purchase (or similar) contracts
- Variable 'Day Ahead Index' (DAI) tariffs (applicable only in Northern Ireland)
For most non-domestic customers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, additional support on energy bills starting from April is unlikely, and any support received is likely to be significantly reduced. It is essential for organisations to continue exploring the best deals available, as the actual energy price paid may vary across suppliers.
Eligible non-domestic customers will receive a per-unit discount on their energy bills during the 12-month period from April 2023 to March 2024.
If you're eligible, remember to apply soon.
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