E.ON vs British Gas: comparing commercial tariffs and features to help you choose for your business

E.ON and British Gas are two of the largest and most established names in the UK business energy market. Both supply gas and electricity to SMEs, offer renewable or zero-carbon electricity products and provide services such as smart meters, energy monitoring, solar panels and electric vehicle charging.

Their business propositions are structured differently.

E.ON Next is the main E.ON brand for small and medium-sized business energy contracts. It offers bespoke fixed tariffs lasting one, two or three years, with 100% renewable-backed electricity included on selected fixed plans. Larger and more complex users may be directed to npower Business Solutions for energy procurement, while E.ON Energy Solutions provides commercial solar, storage, EV charging, heat networks and other infrastructure.

British Gas provides a broader range of energy-supply products under one business brand. Its options include conventional fixed plans, British Gas Lite, a 30-day rolling contract and flexible wholesale purchasing for organisations using more than 1GWh annually. Its qualifying fixed electricity contracts are zero carbon, using renewable and nuclear-backed electricity, while renewable-only electricity and renewable-gas products are also available.

E.ON may be particularly attractive to an SME seeking renewable-backed electricity, detailed energy monitoring and an integrated solar or EV project. British Gas may be more suitable where the company wants greater tariff choice, renewable gas, sophisticated wholesale procurement or support across a large multi-site estate.

Neither supplier is automatically cheaper. Business energy tariffs are individually calculated according to the meter, location, consumption, credit profile, payment method and contract period.

E.ON vs British Gas at a glance

Feature	E.ON	British Gas Business
Small-business electricity	Yes, through E.ON Next	Yes
Small-business gas	Yes, through E.ON Next	Yes
Large-business energy supply	E.ON Next directs larger users towards specialist group services, including npower Business Solutions	Yes
Standard contract prices published	No national price table	Maximum microbusiness prices published
Fixed SME contract lengths	One, two or three years	Normally one, two or three years; some maximum-price schedules include four years
Renewable electricity	100% renewable-backed on selected fixed E.ON Next tariffs	100% renewable option available
Standard low-carbon electricity	Depends on selected E.ON tariff	Zero carbon on qualifying fixed plans
Supplier-wide renewable share	31.3% in the 2024/25 E.ON Next fuel mix	35% in the 2024/25 British Gas fuel mix
Supplier-wide nuclear share	2.7%	55%
Supplier-wide gas and coal share	61.7% combined	9% combined
Online-only SME tariff	Online E.ON Next account, but not a separate equivalent to Lite	British Gas Lite
Short rolling contract	Variable price plan after a fixed term	30-day Rolling Energy Plan
Wholesale flexible purchasing	Available through specialist large-business services	Flex Advantage above 1GWh; Full Flex above 10GWh
Free SME energy analytics	E.ON Optimum	Energy360 DataView
Commercial solar	Yes, including batteries and no-upfront-capital models	Yes, including financed large commercial projects
Published business export rate	8.5p/kWh	8p/kWh for eligible business supply customers
Commercial EV charging	Workplace, fleet, rapid and public charging	Commercial and communal charging
Renewable business gas	No equivalent standard SME product prominently advertised	Carbon Neutral Gas and 100% RGGO-backed Renewable Gas
Best suited to	SMEs seeking renewable-backed fixed supply and integrated energy technology	Businesses wanting wider contract choice, renewable gas and advanced procurement

Understanding the E.ON business structure

The term “E.ON business energy” can refer to several related services.

E.ON Next

E.ON Next provides electricity and gas contracts to small and medium-sized businesses.

Its online SME quotation route is best suited where the company:

• uses no more than 100,000kWh of electricity annually;
• uses no more than 293,000kWh of gas annually; or
• has turnover below €2 million and fewer than ten full-time employees.

These thresholds largely reflect microbusiness eligibility definitions rather than an absolute refusal to serve every company outside them.

E.ON Next also accepts enquiries involving:

• two or more business premises;
• landlords;
• managing agents;
• developers; and
• more complicated account structures.

Larger business supply

E.ON Next directs larger corporate energy users towards specialist large-business services, including npower Business Solutions within the E.ON group.

This is relevant because a large manufacturer may not receive its supply quotation, procurement service and infrastructure project from the same E.ON-branded division.

E.ON Energy Solutions

E.ON Energy Solutions provides commercial infrastructure and decarbonisation services such as:

• commercial solar;
• solar farms;
• battery storage;
• wind generation;
• heat pumps;
• heat networks;
• energy management;
• half-hourly metering;
• grid connections; and
• EV charging.

A company could therefore buy its energy through E.ON Next or another E.ON group supply business while separately contracting with E.ON Energy Solutions for on-site equipment.

British Gas provides a more unified customer journey under British Gas Business and Centrica Business Solutions.

Which businesses can apply?

Both suppliers can serve organisations ranging from small shops to major industrial estates.

Example organisation	Annual electricity use	Likely options
Independent shop	12,000kWh	E.ON Next, British Gas or British Gas Lite
Office	60,000kWh	Fixed SME quotation from either supplier
Restaurant	120,000kWh	Bespoke E.ON enquiry or British Gas standard service
Hotel	400,000kWh	Specialist or large-business service
Manufacturer	2GWh	E.ON group large-business service or British Gas Flex Advantage
Industrial group	15GWh	Specialist procurement; British Gas Full Flex may be relevant
Multi-site landlord	Varies by property	Bespoke portfolio agreement from either group
EV fleet operator	High overnight demand	Supply plus charging infrastructure from either supplier

Eligibility also depends on:

• meter type;
• credit history;
• payment record;
• premises use;
• company status;
• number of sites; and
• the supplier’s appetite for the proposed contract.

A supplier is not legally required to offer a contract to every business.

Which supplier is cheaper?

There is no single national E.ON or British Gas business price.

The quotation will normally consider:

• electricity MPAN or gas MPRN;
• postcode and distribution region;
• annual consumption;
• meter profile;
• half-hourly consumption pattern;
• agreed electricity capacity;
• contract start date;
• contract length;
• credit risk;
• number of sites;
• payment method;
• renewable product selection; and
• wholesale market prices.

Businesses should compare the complete projected cost:

• Annual consumption × unit rate
• daily standing charge × 365
• capacity charges
• metering and data charges
• network and government policy costs
• renewable product charges
• VAT and Climate Change Levy where applicable
  − export income and contractual credits

A supplier offering the lower unit rate can still be more expensive if it applies a much higher standing charge.

How unit-rate differences affect annual costs

Annual consumption	Value of 0.5p/kWh	Value of 1p/kWh	Value of 3p/kWh	Value of 5p/kWh
10,000kWh	£50	£100	£300	£500
25,000kWh	£125	£250	£750	£1,250
50,000kWh	£250	£500	£1,500	£2,500
100,000kWh	£500	£1,000	£3,000	£5,000
250,000kWh	£1,250	£2,500	£7,500	£12,500
1GWh	£5,000	£10,000	£30,000	£50,000
10GWh	£50,000	£100,000	£300,000	£500,000

A difference of only 1p/kWh is worth £100,000 annually to a company using 10GWh.

How standing charges affect the comparison

Daily difference per meter	Annual difference	Difference across ten meters
25p	£91.25	£912.50
50p	£182.50	£1,825
£1	£365	£3,650
£2	£730	£7,300
£5	£1,825	£18,250

Standing charges are particularly important for:

• low-consumption properties;
• seasonal premises;
• vacant buildings;
• landlords;
• businesses with numerous small meters; and
• organisations retaining inactive sites.

E.ON Next business tariffs

E.ON Next offers bespoke business gas and electricity prices rather than a universal public unit rate.

Its fixed tariff options normally last:

• one year;
• two years; or
• three years.

Prices can be agreed up to 180 days before the existing contract ends.

Selected fixed electricity tariffs include 100% renewable-backed electricity. Eligibility conditions can include having a compatible smart meter installed where one is available.

The business receives access to:

• a dedicated Energy Specialist;
• an online account;
• electronic bills;
• meter-reading submission;
• card and Direct Debit payments;
• account-detail management; and
• E.ON Optimum where the meter is compatible.

E.ON states that there is no automatic fixed-term rollover. If the customer takes no action, it moves onto a variable business price rather than receiving another fixed contract automatically.

E.ON’s variable and out-of-contract prices

E.ON Next distinguishes between its variable price plan and out-of-contract rates.

Variable price plan

A business can move onto the variable price plan when its fixed contract ends without a replacement being agreed.

E.ON warns that variable business prices are generally higher than fixed prices and may change at any time.

The business can normally move back onto an available fixed tariff.

Out-of-contract rates

Out-of-contract rates can apply after the fixed term ends where the customer has chosen to leave but the switch has not yet completed.

E.ON states that these rates are higher than its variable price plan.

Deemed supply

A deemed contract can arise when a company moves into premises already supplied by E.ON without first agreeing a formal tariff.

E.ON does not currently display a simple national business-rate table equivalent to British Gas’s maximum microbusiness schedule. Customers need to contact E.ON or inspect their bill for the exact unit rate and standing charge.

This makes direct public price comparison difficult.

British Gas maximum microbusiness electricity prices

British Gas publishes the maximum prices that a qualifying microbusiness may pay when entering or renewing a Fixed Price Energy Plan.

These are price ceilings rather than average or typical quotations. Many companies may receive lower prices.

The figures below were current on 27 May 2026 and exclude VAT, Climate Change Levy and other applicable charges.

Single-rate electricity

Fixed term	Maximum unit rate	Maximum standing charge	Published contract cost
One year	38.41p/kWh	334p per day	£9,285
Two years	37.81p/kWh	379.96p per day	£18,654
Three years	38.04p/kWh	428.43p per day	£28,657
Four years	38.04p/kWh	462.23p per day	£38,702

British Gas bases its electricity contract estimates on annual consumption of 21,000kWh.

Contract length	Approximate average annual cost
One year	£9,285
Two years	£9,327
Three years	£9,552
Four years	£9,676

The two-year option has the lowest maximum unit rate, but its standing charge is higher than the one-year plan.

Day-and-night electricity

Fixed term	Maximum day rate	Maximum night rate	Standing charge
One year	40p/kWh	31.76p/kWh	334p per day
Two years	39.37p/kWh	31.17p/kWh	379.96p per day
Three years	39.61p/kWh	31.42p/kWh	428.43p per day
Four years	39.61p/kWh	31.42p/kWh	462.23p per day

Using the two-year rates:

Proportion used at night	Weighted average unit rate
10%	38.55p/kWh
25%	37.32p/kWh
50%	35.27p/kWh
75%	33.22p/kWh

The standing charge must still be included.

Evening-and-weekend electricity

Fixed term	Evening and weekend rate	Weekday daytime rate	Standing charge
One year	31.66p/kWh	42.27p/kWh	334p per day
Two years	31.17p/kWh	41.20p/kWh	379.96p per day
Three years	31.48p/kWh	40.80p/kWh	428.43p per day
Four years	31.48p/kWh	40.80p/kWh	462.23p per day

This structure may suit hospitality and leisure companies using a large proportion of their electricity outside standard weekday hours.

British Gas maximum microbusiness gas prices

Fixed term	Maximum unit rate	Maximum standing charge	Published contract cost
One year	12.54p/kWh	1,710.28p per day	£10,005
Two years	11.44p/kWh	1,784.47p per day	£19,891
Three years	10.92p/kWh	1,862.57p per day	£30,223
Four years	11.07p/kWh	1,975.41p per day	£42,125

The gas estimates assume annual consumption of 30,000kWh.

The standing charges in this table are unusually high because the figures represent maximum prices rather than the typical rate offered to every British Gas customer.

E.ON does not publish an equivalent maximum-price table, so the figures cannot be used to determine which supplier will be cheaper.

British Gas contract options

British Gas offers a wider range of standardised energy-supply structures than E.ON Next.

Fixed Price Energy Plan

British Gas’s principal fixed tariff normally offers one-, two- or three-year terms.

The contract provides:

• a fixed unit rate;
• a fixed standing charge, subject to the detailed terms;
• Direct Debit payment options;
• online account management;
• renewal reminders; and
• zero-carbon electricity on qualifying plans.

British Gas Lite

British Gas Lite is a fixed-price online-only product for small businesses.

It includes:

• monthly Direct Debit;
• a free smart meter where eligible;
• automatic meter readings;
• 24-hour online account access;
• online billing; and
• support through live chat.

Lite customers do not receive conventional telephone account support.

Thirty-day rolling plan

The 30-day Rolling Energy Plan provides an alternative to a long fixed commitment.

It may suit a company that:

• expects to move premises;
• may close or sell;
• has uncertain future consumption;
• is awaiting a property transaction; or
• wants to retain greater switching flexibility.

Rates can increase or decrease, so it provides less budget certainty.

Flexible purchasing

British Gas has three flexible procurement options.

Product	Typical annual consumption	Key feature
Flex Advantage	More than 1GWh	Purchase in 20% tranches
Full Flex	More than 10GWh	Fix and unfix in flexible volumes
Flex Cash Out	More than 10GWh with variable demand	Settle imbalance exposure using market prices

Flex Advantage is intended for companies new to flexible purchasing. Full Flex and Flex Cash Out are aimed at businesses with more internal experience or specialist procurement support.

E.ON large-business procurement

E.ON’s large-business energy service is less straightforward from a branding perspective.

High-consumption businesses can be directed towards npower Business Solutions for fixed, flexible and multi-site supply contracts. E.ON Energy Solutions separately provides consultancy, metering, infrastructure and low-carbon technology.

E.ON also advertises an Energy Fund product for smaller commercial users requiring a variable energy contract with a fully risk-managed service.

A large company comparing E.ON with British Gas should establish:

• which E.ON group company will supply the energy;
• which company will install or fund equipment;
• whether invoices are consolidated;
• which entity carries contractual liability;
• whether procurement decisions are fixed or flexible;
• whether network charges are fixed or passed through; and
• which support team manages the account.

British Gas has an advantage in presenting its main fixed and flexible supply products through one business-energy brand.

Comparing renewable electricity

Both suppliers offer renewable-backed electricity, but neither company’s supplier-wide fuel mix is entirely renewable.

E.ON selected fixed tariffs

E.ON Next supplies 100% renewable-backed electricity on selected fixed tariffs for homes and small businesses.

The backing can come from:

• E.ON renewable generation assets;
• agreements with UK renewable generators; and
• renewable electricity certificates.

The physical electricity still arrives through the national grid, which combines generation from many sources.

E.ON Next fuel mix

E.ON Next’s published fuel mix for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 was:

Source	E.ON Next	UK national average
Coal	10.2%	5.9%
Natural gas	51.5%	33.3%
Nuclear	2.7%	16.2%
Renewables	31.3%	42.1%
Other	4.3%	2.5%
Carbon emissions	331g/kWh	205g/kWh
Radioactive waste	0.0002g/kWh	0.001g/kWh

The supplier-wide mix is considerably more fossil-fuel intensive than the selected renewable tariff.

A business should therefore confirm that its quotation explicitly includes E.ON’s renewable-backed electricity rather than assuming that every E.ON product has the same environmental credentials.

British Gas zero-carbon electricity

British Gas includes zero-carbon electricity with qualifying new and renewed fixed business contracts.

Its current standard product backing is described as:

Source	Proportion
Renewable generation	72%
Nuclear generation	28%

This electricity can support market-based zero-emission reporting, but it is not renewable-only because nuclear power is included.

Natural Renewable Electricity

Eligible British Gas customers can opt into Natural Renewable Electricity.

Under this product:

• 100% of consumption is matched with UK REGOs;
• generation sources include wind, solar and hydro;
• it is available for the same quoted price as standard zero-carbon electricity;
• it can support Scope 2 reporting; and
• availability can vary.

British Gas Lite and non-contracted customers are excluded.

British Gas supplier-wide fuel mix

British Gas’s published 2024/25 fuel mix was:

Source	British Gas
Renewables	35%
Nuclear	55%
Natural gas	8%
Coal	1%
Other	1%
Reported carbon emissions	53g/kWh

British Gas’s supplier-wide mix had:

• a slightly higher renewable share than E.ON Next;
• a substantially higher nuclear share;
• much lower gas and coal exposure; and
• a much lower reported carbon intensity.

However, a customer’s product-specific certificate backing matters more than the supplier-wide mix when calculating market-based Scope 2 emissions.

Which supplier has greener electricity?

Environmental priority	Likely stronger option
Renewable-backed SME fixed tariff	E.ON Next or British Gas Natural Renewable
Renewable electricity included without a separate British Gas opt-in	Selected E.ON Next fixed tariff
Lower supplier-wide carbon intensity	British Gas
Lower supplier-wide fossil-fuel share	British Gas
Avoiding nuclear-backed supply	E.ON renewable tariff or British Gas Natural Renewable
Choice between renewable and nuclear-backed zero carbon	British Gas
Direct solar or wind infrastructure project	E.ON may have an advantage
Renewable reporting under a standard SME contract	Compare product evidence from both

A company should not compare only the fuel-mix percentages. It should request written confirmation of the specific certificates allocated to its tariff.

Comparing business gas

The environmental difference is clearer for gas.

E.ON business gas

E.ON Next supplies business gas, but it does not prominently advertise a standard SME gas tariff equivalent to British Gas’s Carbon Neutral Gas or Renewable Gas products.

Unless the quotation states otherwise, a business should treat an E.ON gas contract as conventional network gas.

A large organisation may be able to discuss bespoke low-carbon heat, biomass, heat-pump or district-heating projects with E.ON Energy Solutions.

British Gas Carbon Neutral Gas

British Gas Carbon Neutral Gas is structured as:

Environmental mechanism	Proportion
Gas matched with UK RGGOs	10%
Gas supported by carbon-offset projects	90%

The 10% renewable component is matched with biomethane through Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin.

The remaining emissions are addressed using independently verified offset projects.

British Gas Renewable Gas

Businesses using more than 150MWh of gas annually can request British Gas Renewable Gas.

Under this option:

• 100% of consumption is matched with UK biomethane;
• British Gas holds corresponding RGGOs;
• the physical gas continues to arrive through the shared gas network; and
• the business receives auditable renewable-gas evidence.

British Gas is therefore likely to be the better choice where an organisation specifically requires a defined renewable or carbon-neutralised gas product.

E.ON Optimum vs British Gas Energy360

Both suppliers provide free energy-monitoring tools to eligible customers.

E.ON Optimum

E.ON Optimum is available to SME customers with a compatible smart or automated meter.

It can provide:

• electricity and gas consumption data;
• analysis by meter;
• comparisons across time periods;
• downloadable information;
• multi-site visibility;
• sustainability tips;
• benchmarking against similar premises; and
• guidance on reducing consumption.

The amount of historical information available depends on the meter and when the business consented to data sharing.

British Gas Energy360 DataView

Energy360 DataView is available to existing British Gas business customers with a suitable smart meter.

It provides:

• half-hourly consumption graphs;
• daily data updates;
• historical downloads;
• scheduled reporting;
• out-of-hours analysis;
• identification of unusual demand; and
• data supporting sustainability reporting.

Which platform is better?

Requirement	Likely stronger fit
Benchmarking against similar premises	E.ON Optimum
Sustainability tips integrated with the dashboard	E.ON Optimum
Detailed half-hourly graphs	British Gas Energy360
Out-of-hours consumption reporting	British Gas Energy360
Multi-site energy visibility	Both
Free SME access	Both, subject to meter compatibility

The usefulness of either platform depends on the accuracy and frequency of the meter data.

Smart meters

Both suppliers offer free smart-meter installation to eligible business customers.

Potential benefits include:

• automatic meter readings;
• more accurate bills;
• reduced estimated billing;
• half-hourly data;
• easier energy monitoring;
• access to flexibility schemes;
• support for solar exports; and
• preparation for market-wide half-hourly settlement.

A smart meter does not automatically reduce consumption. Savings depend on the business acting on the information it provides.

Commercial solar and battery storage

Both groups offer commercial solar installation, but E.ON has a particularly broad public infrastructure proposition.

E.ON small-business solar

E.ON Next provides solar and battery packages for SMEs.

The process includes:

1. an initial consultation;
2. a bespoke quotation and proposed system design;
3. a site survey;
4. grid-connection approval;
5. installation; and
6. monitoring of generation and storage.

The proposal can also incorporate EV charging.

E.ON large commercial solar

E.ON Energy Solutions provides:

• rooftop solar;
• ground-mounted solar farms;
• battery storage;
• Power Purchase Agreements;
• capital-expenditure-free funding; and
• maintenance and energy-management support.

No-upfront-capital models can allow the business to buy electricity generated on its site under a long-term PPA rather than owning the equipment outright.

British Gas commercial solar

British Gas and Centrica Business Solutions provide:

• commercial solar design;
• installation;
• financing;
• monitoring;
• maintenance;
• rooftop, ground-mounted and carport systems; and
• integration with broader energy services.

British Gas says suitable commercial solar projects may reduce grid electricity costs by up to 30%.

It also states that systems can have potential payback periods of two to six years, although actual results vary substantially.

Comparing business solar export payments

E.ON Next publishes an 8.5p/kWh fixed export rate for eligible small businesses.

The tariff:

• lasts 12 months;
• has no exit fee;
• requires a smart export meter;
• requires consent to half-hourly data collection; and
• is open to eligible small businesses even where E.ON does not provide the import supply.

British Gas publishes an 8p/kWh rate for eligible existing business electricity customers.

Annual export	E.ON at 8.5p/kWh	British Gas at 8p/kWh	Difference
5,000kWh	£425	£400	£25
10,000kWh	£850	£800	£50
25,000kWh	£2,125	£2,000	£125
50,000kWh	£4,250	£4,000	£250
100,000kWh	£8,500	£8,000	£500

E.ON currently has the slightly higher published rate.

The final choice should also consider:

• contract term;
• import-supply requirements;
• installed capacity;
• meter eligibility;
• payment frequency;
• tariff-change provisions; and
• whether the business receives Feed-in Tariff export payments.

EV charging

E.ON has the broader publicly advertised commercial charging service.

Its solutions include:

• workplace charging;
• employee charging;
• fleet-depot infrastructure;
• fast chargers;
• rapid chargers;
• public charging;
• access controls;
• load management;
• installation;
• maintenance; and
• vehicle-to-grid trials.

E.ON’s fast chargers can provide up to 22kW, while larger rapid installations are available for sites requiring shorter charging times.

Eligible companies may also be able to use Workplace Charging Scheme support, subject to current government rules.

British Gas offers commercial and communal charging, particularly for:

• commercial landlords;
• apartment blocks;
• shared parking;
• employees;
• tenants; and
• property developers.

E.ON is likely to have the advantage for a business seeking a large fleet-depot or mixed-speed charging project. British Gas may be attractive where charging is part of a commercial landlord or shared-parking arrangement.

Large-business energy infrastructure

E.ON’s major strength lies in the breadth of its infrastructure services.

The group can deliver:

• commercial solar;
• large solar farms;
• wind turbines;
• battery storage;
• heat pumps;
• combined heat and power;
• biomass;
• heat networks;
• building energy management systems;
• half-hourly metering;
• grid connections; and
• commercial EV charging.

Funding options can include:

• direct capital purchase;
• equipment leasing;
• Power Purchase Agreements;
• service contracts; and
• capital-expenditure-free arrangements.

British Gas and Centrica Business Solutions also provide large-scale solar, combined heat and power, batteries and energy optimisation.

A large company should compare the complete project proposition rather than selecting its energy supplier first and automatically using the same group for infrastructure.

Demand flexibility and smart rewards

British Gas has operated PeakSave for Business events for eligible smart-meter customers.

The May and June 2026 promotion provided half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm on selected Wednesdays, capped at a £100 credit per opted-in meter per event.

This was a time-limited promotion rather than a permanent tariff.

E.ON’s business proposition focuses more on consumption visibility through Optimum and on-site technology. Its wider business services can also support demand flexibility, storage and energy optimisation.

Businesses should ask both suppliers about current flexibility programmes because eligibility and event terms can change.

Account management and support

E.ON Next

E.ON Next business customers can manage their accounts online and contact dedicated Energy Specialists.

Support options include:

• telephone;
• email;
• WhatsApp;
• online account management;
• meter readings;
• payment management; and
• tariff renewal.

British Gas

British Gas provides different support models according to the product.

Standard business accounts can access telephone and online support.

British Gas Lite customers receive:

• online account management;
• automated smart readings;
• Direct Debit;
• webchat support; and
• no standard telephone account-service channel.

British Gas also has specialist teams for:

• flexible procurement;
• half-hourly metering;
• large organisations;
• landlords;
• connections; and
• multi-site portfolios.

Contract renewal

E.ON Next allows businesses to discuss a new tariff up to six months before the current contract ends and can agree prices up to 180 days in advance.

Online renewal may become available within 67 days of expiry.

If the business does not renew, it moves onto a variable business price. If it has decided to leave, higher out-of-contract prices can apply until the switch completes.

British Gas also contacts customers before expiry and can move an account onto a variable price where no new fixed agreement has been completed.

Businesses should start comparing prices several months before the contract end date.

Contract risks to check

Business energy contracts are not protected by the domestic price cap.

Most business contracts also do not provide an automatic 14-day cooling-off period, including agreements made over the telephone.

Before accepting an E.ON or British Gas quotation, check:

• contract start date;
• contract end date;
• unit rate;
• standing charge;
• fixed and pass-through components;
• renewable product conditions;
• meter requirements;
• capacity charges;
• volume-tolerance provisions;
• early termination costs;
• security deposits;
• payment method;
• broker commission;
• renewal procedure;
• variable-price terms; and
• deemed and out-of-contract rates.

The business should obtain all principal terms in writing before agreeing.

E.ON advantages and disadvantages

British Gas advantages and disadvantages

Which supplier is better for different businesses?

Business type or requirement	Likely better fit	Reason
Small business wanting a renewable fixed tariff	E.ON Next	Renewable backing included on selected fixed plans
Online-only microbusiness	British Gas Lite	Dedicated lower-administration online product
Company wanting a rolling contract	British Gas	Published 30-day plan
Business wanting to fix six months early	E.ON Next	Prices can be agreed up to 180 days ahead
Business using more than 1GWh	British Gas may have an advantage	Flex Advantage
Business using more than 10GWh	British Gas may have an advantage	Full Flex and Flex Cash Out
Company requiring renewable-only electricity	E.ON selected tariff or British Gas Natural Renewable	Both can provide certificate-backed renewable power
Company accepting nuclear-backed zero carbon	British Gas	Standard qualifying fixed plans include nuclear
Company requiring renewable gas	British Gas	100% RGGO-backed option
SME wanting energy benchmarking	E.ON	Optimum compares usage and provides recommendations
Business wanting half-hourly reporting	British Gas	Energy360 DataView
SME with rooftop solar	E.ON	Published export rate of 8.5p/kWh
Large commercial solar project	Compare both	Both offer financed projects and PPAs
Fleet-depot charging	E.ON may have an advantage	Broader fleet and rapid-charging proposition
Commercial landlord with shared parking	British Gas may have an advantage	Communal charging tariff
Business needing a heat network	E.ON	Extensive heat-network experience
Large multi-site energy portfolio	British Gas may have an advantage	More unified procurement and account structure
Complex net-zero infrastructure programme	E.ON may have an advantage	Broad solar, wind, heat, storage and network services

Final verdict: EON vs British Gas

E.ON and British Gas can both provide competitive energy and low-carbon services, but their strongest features address different business needs.

E.ON is likely to be the stronger option where the company wants:

• a one-, two- or three-year SME tariff;
• renewable-backed electricity included on the selected fixed plan;
• free energy benchmarking through Optimum;
• a slightly higher published export rate;
• solar and battery installation;
• fleet or rapid EV charging;
• heat pumps or heat networks; or
• a capital-expenditure-free renewable infrastructure project.

British Gas is likely to be the stronger choice where the company wants:

• a wider selection of conventional supply contracts;
• British Gas Lite;
• a 30-day rolling plan;
• flexible procurement above 1GWh;
• advanced wholesale trading above 10GWh;
• renewable or carbon-neutralised gas;
• Energy360 half-hourly data;
• a unified national multi-site service; or
• a choice between renewable-only and nuclear-backed zero-carbon electricity.

The pricing comparison cannot be resolved from published information alone.

British Gas publishes maximum microbusiness rates, but these are ceilings rather than average quotes. E.ON provides personalised business prices and does not display an equivalent national tariff table.

A fair comparison should require both suppliers to price:

1. the same annual consumption;
2. the same meter and postcode;
3. identical contract dates;
4. the same payment method;
5. equivalent renewable credentials;
6. all standing charges;
7. metering and capacity costs;
8. fixed and pass-through charges;
9. early termination liability;
10. solar export revenue;
11. variable and out-of-contract rates; and
12. the complete projected annual cost.

For most businesses, the conclusion is:

• choose E.ON for renewable-backed SME tariffs, integrated energy monitoring and a broad low-carbon technology package;
• choose British Gas for greater tariff variety, renewable gas, rolling contracts and sophisticated wholesale purchasing;
• compare E.ON’s selected renewable tariff with British Gas Natural Renewable Electricity where renewable-only credentials are essential; and
• select whichever written quotation produces the lowest realistic total cost after every standing, network, metering and pass-through charge has been included.

FAQ