Compare Business Energy Prices & Best Deals

Business energy is not price-capped like household energy — rates are quoted per business, and the gap between a negotiated contract and out-of-contract rates is routinely 40–80%. Use the guides below to understand your contract position, then get a quote in minutes.

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What UK businesses actually pay — official Q2 2026 averages

Official averages from the government’s Quarterly Energy Prices survey of suppliers — the most reliable public benchmark for what UK businesses actually pay.

Electricity

Consumer size bandAnnual usageQ2 2026 (p/kWh)Q2 2025 (p/kWh)Change
Very smallunder 20,000 kWh38.437.1↑ 3.5%
Small20,000 to 499,999 kWh28.628.6↓ 0.1%
Small/medium500,000 to 1,999,999 kWh27.727.7no change
Medium2 to 20 million kWh25.225.8↓ 2.5%
Large20 to 70 million kWh24.424.6↓ 0.6%
Very large70 to 150 million kWh22.721.9↑ 3.8%
Extra largeover 150 million kWh22.221.0↑ 6.1%
All non-domestic average—24.5124.03↑ 2.0%

Gas

Consumer size bandAnnual usageQ2 2026 (p/kWh)Q2 2025 (p/kWh)Change
Very smallunder 278,000 kWh9.318.78↑ 6.1%
Small278,000 to 2.78 million kWh4.865.09↓ 4.6%
Medium2.78 to 27.8 million kWh4.204.50↓ 6.6%
Large27.8 to 278 million kWh3.834.06↓ 5.7%
Very largeover 278 million kWh3.974.28↓ 7.3%
All non-domestic average—5.285.31↓ 0.6%

Prices above are all-in averages: they include the standing charge and the Climate Change Levy (CCL), but not VAT. The CCL main rate during Q2 2026 was 0.801p/kWh.

The small-business penalty has narrowed, but it is still large. Across Q2 2025 to Q2 2026 the average non-domestic electricity price rose 2.0% — and the very smallest consumers (under 20 MWh a year, which covers most shops, cafes and small offices) saw their average price rise from 37.1p to 38.4p/kWh. Small sites now pay around 72% more per kWh than the largest consumers, and are the group most likely to be sitting on out-of-contract or deemed rates — which is why getting a negotiated quote matters most if you are small.

Check your own bill against these averages with the business energy rate checker.

Source: DESNZ Quarterly Energy Prices, tables 3.4.1–3.4.2 (non-domestic prices, every charge except VAT), published 29 September 2026; Q2 2026 figures are provisional. Next official update: 17 December 2026.

Best business energy deals in September 2026: how to actually get one

There is no public price cap and no published “best buy” table for business energy — suppliers quote each business individually on usage, meter type and credit profile. What “best deal” really means in practice:

Compare & switch

Business energy comparison
Compare current business electricity and gas deals.
Small business energy prices
Prices and switching for small firms.
How to switch business energy
The switch process, timelines and what you need.
Micro-business rates
Special protections and rates for micro-businesses.
Multi-site contracts
Rates for businesses with multiple premises.

Rates & forecasts

Average standing charges
What business electricity standing charges look like.
Unit rate forecast 2026
Where business unit rates are heading.
Gas rate forecast - winter
Winter 2026 business gas outlook.
Business electricity prices
Current electricity prices per kWh.
Gas standing charges
Business gas standing charge rates.
Standing charge increases
2026 standing charge changes explained.
Do price caps apply to business?
July 2026 changes and what they mean.
Price index 2004–2026
Official price history: the 2023 peak, the recovery, and the record small-business premium.

Contracts & renewals

Renewal quotes before end date
When and how to get renewal quotes.
Fixed contract ending?
Your options before rollover kicks in.

Avoid expensive rates

Avoid deemed rates
Get off out-of-contract and deemed rates.
Hidden exit fees
Spot and challenge hidden contract fees.
Early exit fees
What leaving a contract early really costs.
Rollover exit fees
Escaping an auto-rollover contract.
Meter read before contract end
Protect yourself at switchover.

Meters & half-hourly

Half-hourly tariffs
Costs and comparison for HH-metered sites.
Meter type charges
How your meter type changes what you pay.
Pass-through charges
Non-commodity costs on your bill, explained.

Brokers

Broker-free quotes
Compare without a broker in the middle.

By business type

Home-based businesses
When a home office needs a business tariff.
Sole traders
Rates and contract rules for one-person businesses.
Pubs & bars
Energy for wet-led and food pubs.
Restaurants
High-usage kitchen energy strategies.
Care homes
24/7 usage profiles and contracts.
Farms & agriculture
Agricultural electricity pricing.

Why EnergyPlus for business energy

We are an independent UK comparison site. One energy-switching partner handles your quote, your number is not resold, and our guides are reviewed against Ofgem and supplier documentation. If you spot an error, tell us via the contact page.

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Updated on 22 Oct 2026