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

Utilita and British Gas both supply gas and electricity to UK businesses, but their commercial energy propositions have different strengths.

Utilita Business concentrates on relatively straightforward fixed-price contracts, smart metering, real-time consumption information and commercial solar installations. Its fixed deals are available for 12, 24 or 36 months, while its solar division offers battery storage, electric vehicle charging and several funding options.

British Gas has a broader range of energy-supply products. These include conventional fixed contracts, the online-only British Gas Lite service, variable and rolling arrangements, renewable electricity and gas, half-hourly data tools and flexible wholesale purchasing for organisations consuming more than 1GWh annually.

The environmental distinction is also significant. British Gas offers zero-carbon electricity on qualifying fixed contracts and allows eligible customers to choose renewable-only electricity. Utilita does not currently promote a conventional 100% renewable business tariff and is publicly critical of renewable tariffs based principally on separately purchased certificates. It instead emphasises reducing consumption, real-time carbon information and generating renewable power directly at the customer’s premises.

Utilita may suit an SME seeking fixed prices, close account support and commercial solar. British Gas may be more appropriate where the business requires a wider tariff selection, renewable gas, advanced energy procurement or services across a complex multi-site portfolio.

Neither supplier can be declared universally cheaper. An accurate comparison requires written quotations based on the same meter, consumption, contract dates and payment method.

Utilita vs British Gas at a glance

Feature	Utilita Business	British Gas Business
Business electricity	Yes	Yes
Business gas	Yes	Yes
SME supply	Yes	Yes
Half-hourly electricity	Yes	Yes
Multi-site supply	Yes, including group billing	Yes
Standard negotiated prices published	No	No
Public pricing information	Deemed and out-of-contract rates	Maximum microbusiness fixed prices
Fixed contract lengths	12, 24 or 36 months	Normally one, two or three years; some published schedules include four years
Rolling or variable contract	Business Variable and out-of-contract rates	Variable plans and 30-day Rolling Energy Plan
Online-only tariff	No directly equivalent separate product	British Gas Lite
Large-user wholesale procurement	No comparable standard product prominently advertised	Flex Advantage above 1GWh and Full Flex above 10GWh
Smart meters	Central part of the proposition	Available to eligible businesses
Consumption information	My Utilita and real-time insights for compatible accounts	Energy360 DataView
Standard renewable electricity	No conventional renewable-only tariff prominently promoted	Renewable-only option available
Standard zero-carbon fixed electricity	No	Yes, on qualifying fixed plans
Supplier-wide renewable share	0% in the 2024/25 fuel-mix disclosure	35%
Supplier-wide carbon intensity	481g CO₂/kWh	53g CO₂/kWh
Renewable business gas	No standard certificate-backed product prominently advertised	Carbon Neutral Gas and Renewable Gas
Commercial solar	Yes	Yes
Solar funding	Purchase, finance and zero-upfront PPA options	Purchase and funded commercial solutions
Published SEG export rate	3p/kWh	12p/kWh up to 15kW or 8p/kWh above 15kW for eligible supply customers
EV charging	Employee, customer and fleet installations	Commercial and communal charging
Best suited to	SMEs wanting fixed supply, smart data and on-site solar	Businesses wanting broad tariff choice and advanced procurement

Which businesses can apply?

Utilita Business accepts applications for commercial electricity and gas supply and can support single-site, multi-site and half-hourly customers.

Its public proposition is primarily directed towards SMEs, although its terms and published rates also cover:

• half-hourly electricity supplies;
• sites with maximum demand of 100kW or more;
• profile class 00 meters;
• multiple premises;
• group billing; and
• commercial solar projects with substantial generation capacity.

British Gas serves businesses ranging from sole traders to major industrial groups.

Its options include:

• British Gas Lite for online-managed small-business accounts;
• conventional fixed plans;
• multi-rate tariffs;
• landlord and vacant-property arrangements;
• half-hourly contracts;
• multi-site portfolios;
• Flex Advantage for users above 1GWh; and
• Full Flex for users above 10GWh.

Example suitability by business size

Example business	Annual electricity use	Potential options
Independent shop	12,000kWh	Utilita fixed plan, British Gas or British Gas Lite
Small office	40,000kWh	Fixed quotation from either supplier
Restaurant	100,000kWh	Fixed or multi-rate tariff from either
Hotel	350,000kWh	Bespoke multi-site or half-hourly service
Manufacturer	2GWh	Utilita half-hourly quote or British Gas Flex Advantage
Industrial group	15GWh	British Gas Full Flex likely to be more relevant
Sports venue with a large roof	Varies	Utilita or British Gas commercial solar
Commercial landlord	Numerous smaller meters	Group billing or specialist landlord services

A supplier may require a deposit or advance payment or may decline to quote after assessing the company’s credit profile and supply risk.

Which supplier is cheaper?

There is no standard Utilita-versus-British Gas rate for every business.

A quotation can depend on:

• the electricity MPAN or gas MPRN;
• postcode and distribution region;
• meter profile;
• half-hourly consumption pattern;
• annual energy use;
• available electricity capacity;
• number of locations;
• contract start date;
• fixed-term length;
• payment method;
• credit history;
• expected changes in consumption;
• broker commission; and
• wholesale prices when the quotation is issued.

A full comparison should calculate:

• Annual consumption × unit rate
• daily standing charge × 365
• meter and data costs
• capacity charges
• network and policy costs
• pass-through charges
• VAT and Climate Change Levy where applicable
  − export income and other credits

A lower unit rate does not necessarily produce a cheaper bill if it is accompanied by a substantially higher daily charge.

How price 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

Standing charges can be equally important for low-consumption sites.

Daily standing-charge difference	Annual cost per meter	Cost 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

Utilita fixed business tariffs

Utilita advertises fixed business energy plans lasting:

• 12 months;
• 24 months; or
• 36 months.

The supplier describes these as fixed-rate agreements intended to protect customers from unexpected price increases.

Under Utilita’s principal terms, the contracted charges generally remain unchanged during the fixed period, except for pass-through costs and specific contractual events.

Prices may potentially change where:

• the information supplied during the application was incorrect;
• actual consumption is materially different from the estimate;
• the meter is incompatible with the quoted tariff;
• the business fails to pay on time;
• the business leaves the premises early;
• an act of law or regulation changes the supplier’s costs;
• VAT changes; or
• additional metering or industry costs arise.

Businesses should therefore establish which charges are genuinely fixed and which costs can be passed through separately.

Utilita account support

Utilita’s business proposition includes:

• a dedicated Commercial Account Manager;
• telephone and online support;
• renewal assistance;
• smart-meter installation;
• consumption information;
• My Utilita account access;
• group billing;
• payment by variable Direct Debit; and
• energy-efficiency guidance.

My Utilita is most clearly promoted for compatible single-site customers. Businesses with several premises can use group billing, but should confirm what consolidated consumption reporting is included.

Utilita renewal process

Utilita says it contacts fixed-term customers approximately 60 days before their agreement ends.

If the company does not agree a replacement tariff, it can move onto Utilita’s Business Variable or out-of-contract rates.

Those prices:

• have no fixed end date;
• can change without advance notice under the published terms;
• are normally more expensive than negotiated fixed rates; and
• can be left without paying an early termination charge.

A business should begin comparing options before receiving the 60-day renewal notice, particularly where several meters or a broker are involved.

British Gas fixed business tariffs

British Gas’s principal Fixed Price Energy Plan normally offers contracts lasting:

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

Its published maximum-pricing schedule also contains four-year products, although availability should be confirmed during the quotation process.

The standard fixed plan offers:

• fixed unit and standing charges, subject to the contract;
• Direct Debit payment options;
• online account management;
• renewal notifications;
• smart-meter installation where eligible; and
• zero-carbon electricity on qualifying fixed plans.

The total bill remains dependent on consumption even where the rate is fixed.

British Gas Lite

British Gas Lite is a digital-first fixed tariff for small companies.

Its features include:

• online account management;
• electronic bills;
• monthly Direct Debit;
• automatic smart-meter readings;
• dedicated webchat support; and
• no conventional telephone account-management service.

Lite may suit a small company with a straightforward meter and no need for complex support.

It may be less suitable where the business has:

• several sites;
• disputed historic bills;
• complicated meter arrangements;
• frequent tenancy changes;
• a half-hourly supply;
• specialist environmental requirements; or
• a preference for telephone support.

British Gas variable and rolling options

British Gas offers a wider selection of non-fixed contracts.

Its 30-day Rolling Energy Plan can suit businesses that:

• may move premises shortly;
• are being sold;
• expect major operational changes;
• do not want a multi-year commitment; or
• believe wholesale prices may fall.

The tariff provides greater flexibility but less certainty because rates can increase.

British Gas also applies variable and deemed prices where a customer’s fixed agreement expires or a business occupies premises without arranging a contract.

British Gas flexible procurement

British Gas has a significant advantage for high-consumption organisations seeking access to wholesale energy markets.

Flex Advantage

Flex Advantage is intended for businesses consuming more than 1GWh annually.

It allows the customer to:

• purchase electricity or gas in 20% tranches;
• spread procurement decisions across several dates;
• access market-reflective prices;
• monitor its position through an online portal; and
• manage wholesale price risk.

Full Flex

Full Flex is designed for businesses using more than 10GWh annually.

It provides greater control over:

• trade size;
• fixing and unfixing;
• transaction timing;
• the proportion left exposed to market prices;
• multi-year procurement; and
• portfolio risk.

Flex Cash Out

Flex Cash Out can suit a large customer whose actual use varies substantially from its forecast.

Differences between purchased volumes and actual consumption can be settled against market prices.

Utilita does not currently promote an equivalent standard wholesale purchasing service, making British Gas the stronger option for many large industrial or corporate users.

Utilita published deemed electricity rates

Utilita’s current public principal terms include non-half-hourly deemed and out-of-contract rates.

These apply where:

• no fixed contract has been agreed;
• a business moves into Utilita-supplied premises;
• an existing pricing agreement expires;
• a contract is terminated without replacement; or
• Utilita is appointed as a supplier of last resort.

The published single-rate electricity prices are:

Region	Unit rate	Standing charge
London, lowest published rate	31.395p/kWh	250p per day
Swalec	31.755p/kWh	250p per day
Eastern	31.961p/kWh	250p per day
East Midlands	31.982p/kWh	250p per day
Yorkshire	32.023p/kWh	250p per day
Southern	32.229p/kWh	250p per day
Norweb	32.239p/kWh	250p per day
Midlands	32.291p/kWh	250p per day
Northern	32.291p/kWh	250p per day
Scottish Power	32.332p/kWh	250p per day
Sweb	32.404p/kWh	250p per day
Scottish Hydro	32.497p/kWh	250p per day
Manweb, highest published rate	33.156p/kWh	250p per day

The daily charge of 250p equates to £912.50 annually.

Utilita day-and-night prices

Charge	Published regional range
Day rate	31.693p–33.642p/kWh
Night rate	29.283p–30.494p/kWh
Standing charge	250p per day

The night-time discount is relatively modest in some regions.

For example, where the day rate is 32.5p and the night rate is 30p:

Proportion used at night	Weighted average rate
10%	32.25p/kWh
25%	31.88p/kWh
50%	31.25p/kWh
75%	30.63p/kWh

A two-rate meter is most valuable where a substantial share of the company’s electricity is genuinely consumed during the defined night period.

Illustrative Utilita deemed electricity costs

The following examples use Utilita’s lowest and highest published single-rate regional prices and include the £912.50 annual standing charge.

Annual electricity use	Lowest regional total	Highest regional total
10,000kWh	£4,052.00	£4,228.10
21,000kWh	£7,505.45	£7,875.26
25,000kWh	£8,761.25	£9,201.50
50,000kWh	£16,610.00	£17,490.50
100,000kWh	£32,307.50	£34,068.50

These figures exclude VAT, Climate Change Levy and any other applicable charges.

They are not indicative fixed-contract quotations.

Utilita deemed gas rates

Utilita’s public schedule gives regional gas rates of approximately:

Charge	Published range
Gas unit rate	11.178p–11.334p/kWh
Daily standing charge	250p
Annual standing charge	£912.50

The resulting illustrative costs are:

Annual gas use	Lowest regional total	Highest regional total
25,000kWh	£3,707.00	£3,746.00
30,000kWh	£4,265.90	£4,312.70
50,000kWh	£6,501.50	£6,579.50
100,000kWh	£12,090.50	£12,246.50
250,000kWh	£28,857.50	£29,247.50

These totals exclude VAT and other applicable taxes.

Utilita half-hourly rates

Utilita’s separate half-hourly schedule effective from 1 April 2026 gives the following deemed and out-of-contract prices:

Half-hourly meter type	Unit or day rate	Night rate	Base standing charge
Unrestricted	39.095p/kWh	Not applicable	£14.40 per day plus kVA
Day and night	40.078p/kWh	38.664p/kWh	£14.40 per day plus kVA

The £14.40 daily base charge alone equals £5,256 annually before the capacity-related kVA component.

Additional costs can include:

• meter operation;
• data collection;
• data aggregation;
• reactive power;
• Climate Change Levy;
• excess capacity;
• excess losses;
• special visits;
• industry levies; and
• taxes.

A half-hourly business should compare a complete annual model rather than only the unit rate.

British Gas maximum microbusiness prices

British Gas publishes maximum prices for microbusiness customers entering or renewing a Fixed Price Energy Plan.

These are upper limits rather than typical or average offers.

The figures below were stated as 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

The estimated contract costs assume annual electricity use 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

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

Evening-and-weekend electricity

Fixed term	Evening and weekend	Weekday daytime	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

Gas

Fixed term	Maximum gas 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 illustrations assume annual use of 30,000kWh.

Can the public prices identify a winner?

No. The published figures cover different tariff types.

Factor	Utilita figures	British Gas figures
Tariff type	Deemed or out of contract	Fixed contract
Customer status	No negotiated tariff	Entering or renewing a contract
Price purpose	Current default charge	Maximum price ceiling
Regional variation	Yes	National maximum table
Price certainty	Variable	Fixed for the agreed period, subject to terms
Representative new-customer price	No	Not necessarily

At 21,000kWh of electricity, Utilita’s published deemed rate produces an illustrative annual total of approximately £7,505 to £7,875 before VAT and CCL.

British Gas’s one-year maximum example for the same published consumption level is £9,285.

This does not establish that Utilita will quote a lower fixed tariff. It compares a Utilita variable default rate with the maximum British Gas fixed price rather than two live offers.

The same issue affects gas. Utilita’s published deemed total at 30,000kWh is approximately £4,266 to £4,313, while British Gas’s one-year maximum fixed example is £10,005.

A direct same-day quote is essential.

Does Utilita offer business tariffs without standing charges?

Utilita is well known in the domestic market for tariffs that place more costs into unit rates rather than charging a traditional standing charge.

Businesses should not assume that this automatically applies to Utilita Business.

Its public commercial deemed schedules include:

• a 250p daily charge for non-half-hourly electricity;
• a 250p daily charge for gas; and
• a £14.40 daily half-hourly charge plus a kVA component.

A negotiated tariff could use a different structure, but there is no prominent standard no-standing-charge business product currently advertised.

Utilita early termination charges

Utilita uses a published formula for ending a fixed contract early.

The termination charge is:

20% of the monthly contract price × number of months remaining

The monthly contract price is based on:

• one-twelfth of estimated annual consumption;
• multiplied by the energy unit rate;
• plus the applicable standing charge.

The calculation begins after the relevant 30-day notice period.

For example, where:

• annual estimated cost is £3,600;
• monthly cost is £300;
• 20% of the monthly cost is £60; and
• eight months remain,

the termination fee is:

£60 × 8 = £480

The fee can also become relevant where the business leaves its premises before the end of the fixed term, although Utilita may allow the agreement to continue at a new property subject to revised pricing.

Utilita broker commission

Where a broker introduces the customer, Utilita’s principal terms allow commission to be included as an uplift to the unit rate.

The published cap is 2.5p/kWh.

The maximum effect at that uplift would be:

Annual consumption	Maximum annual uplift at 2.5p/kWh
10,000kWh	£250
25,000kWh	£625
50,000kWh	£1,250
100,000kWh	£2,500
250,000kWh	£6,250

Utilita says a customer can request a statement showing commission paid or due.

A company should compare the broker-arranged rate with a direct quotation and ask the broker to disclose the total commission over the full term.

Smart meters and energy information

Smart technology is central to Utilita’s business proposition.

Its compatible business smart meters can provide:

• automatic meter readings;
• fewer estimated bills;
• half-hourly consumption records;
• more up-to-date account information;
• real-time or near-real-time insights;
• information through My Utilita; and
• data that can help identify potential savings.

Utilita generally attempts to replace compatible single-site meters with smart or advanced equipment.

The supplier may terminate a fixed contract and apply a termination fee if a customer unreasonably refuses a required smart-meter installation.

British Gas also offers free smart meters to eligible businesses.

Its Energy360 DataView platform provides:

• half-hourly graphs;
• daily updates;
• historical downloads;
• scheduled reporting;
• out-of-hours analysis; and
• visibility of consumption trends.

Which has the better energy-monitoring service?

Requirement	Likely stronger fit
Simple single-site account and smart data	Utilita
Half-hourly visual analysis	British Gas
Out-of-hours reports	British Gas
Real-time carbon information	Utilita
Group billing	Utilita
Complex multi-site analytics	British Gas
Wholesale purchasing position	British Gas
Dedicated account-manager support	Utilita

Utilita’s approach is closely integrated with its smart-meter proposition, while British Gas offers the more developed public analytics platform for complex reporting.

Comparing environmental credentials

The suppliers take very different approaches to green electricity.

Utilita fuel mix

Utilita’s published 2024/25 electricity fuel mix was:

Source	Utilita	National average
Natural gas	75%	33%
Coal	15%	6%
Nuclear	4%	16%
Renewables	0%	42%
Other fuels	6%	3%
Reported carbon emissions	481g/kWh	Not stated in the same table

The published mix is significantly more dependent on gas and coal than the national average.

Utilita does not attempt to present this supplier-wide mix as renewable. Instead, it publicly criticises the way some energy companies use separately purchased REGOs to market apparently green tariffs.

Its position is that:

• electricity delivered through the grid comes from a mixture of sources;
• REGOs may be separated from the electricity originally generated;
• certificate-only tariffs may not finance additional renewable capacity; and
• directly reducing consumption or generating electricity on site can produce clearer benefits.

Utilita focuses on energy efficiency, smart data, solar and real-time location-based carbon information.

British Gas fuel mix

British Gas’s 2024/25 supplier-wide mix was:

Source	British Gas
Renewables	35%
Nuclear	55%
Natural gas	8%
Coal	1%
Other	1%
Reported carbon emissions	53g/kWh
Zero-carbon proportion	90%

British Gas’s general mix has a considerably lower reported carbon intensity than Utilita’s.

However, its standard company-wide figures should be distinguished from its specific environmental products.

British Gas zero-carbon electricity

British Gas says qualifying new and renewed fixed electricity plans are zero carbon as standard.

Its current product backing is described as:

• 72% renewable electricity; and
• 28% nuclear generation.

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

Natural Renewable Electricity

Eligible customers can choose British Gas Natural Renewable Electricity.

Under this product:

• 100% of consumption is matched with UK REGOs;
• sources include wind, solar and hydro;
• it is offered at the same quoted price as standard zero-carbon electricity;
• customers can receive evidence for Scope 2 reporting; and
• British Gas Lite and non-contracted customers are excluded.

Which supplier is greener?

The answer depends on how the business defines green energy.

Priority	Likely stronger fit
Lower supplier-wide carbon intensity	British Gas
Higher renewable share	British Gas
Renewable-only certificate-backed supply	British Gas
Avoiding nuclear-backed electricity	British Gas Natural Renewable rather than its standard zero-carbon product
Real-time location-based carbon data	Utilita
Direct on-site generation	Compare both
Avoiding reliance on conventional green-tariff marketing	Utilita
Formal Scope 2 renewable certificate	British Gas

British Gas provides the stronger conventional renewable product.

Utilita provides the more sceptical and transparent account of the physical grid mix and argues that the strongest action is reducing demand or producing renewable electricity on site.

Comparing business gas

Utilita supplies conventional business gas but does not prominently advertise a standard renewable or carbon-neutral business gas product.

British Gas offers two defined environmental upgrades.

Carbon Neutral Gas

British Gas Carbon Neutral Gas is backed by:

Mechanism	Proportion
UK Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin	10%
Verified carbon-offset projects	90%

The physical gas burned at the premises continues to create direct emissions. The RGGOs and offsets address the environmental claim rather than preventing on-site combustion.

Renewable Gas

British Gas also offers Renewable Gas, under which 100% of the customer’s consumption is matched with RGGOs from UK-produced biomethane.

British Gas is therefore likely to be the stronger choice where the organisation requires certificate-backed renewable gas or evidence for environmental reporting.

Utilita commercial solar

Commercial solar is one of Utilita Business’s strongest features.

Its services include:

• bespoke site surveys;
• solar system design;
• rooftop panels;
• battery storage;
• monitoring;
• installation;
• EV charging;
• solar carports;
• cash purchase;
• loan funding; and
• zero-upfront Power Purchase Agreements.

A PPA allows the equipment provider or funder to own the installation while the business purchases the electricity generated on site over an agreed period.

The company should check:

• PPA duration;
• electricity price and indexation;
• minimum purchase commitments;
• equipment ownership;
• roof or land rights;
• maintenance responsibilities;
• treatment when the property is sold;
• end-of-term arrangements; and
• early termination costs.

Utilita solar case studies

Utilita publishes several commercial project results.

Utilita Bowl

The Utilita Bowl installation includes:

• 1,044 solar panels;
• annual generation approaching 400,000kWh;
• 388,623kWh generated between September 2024 and September 2025;
• approximately 25% of the venue’s annual electricity demand;
• almost £100,000 in reported annual savings;
• approximately 80 tonnes of annual carbon savings; and
• an estimated five-year payback under its loan arrangement.

Pompey in the Community

The Portsmouth project includes:

• 358 panels;
• estimated annual generation of 122,570kWh;
• reported annual energy savings of approximately £33,000;
• a reduction of more than 60% in the site’s energy expenditure;
• approximately 27 tonnes of annual carbon savings; and
• total projected savings presented as approximately £660,000.

These are supplier case studies rather than guaranteed results for every installation.

British Gas commercial solar

British Gas and Centrica Business Solutions also provide commercial solar.

Available services can include:

• rooftop solar;
• ground-mounted systems;
• solar carports;
• battery storage;
• monitoring;
• maintenance;
• direct capital purchase;
• financed projects;
• PPAs;
• microgrids;
• heat pumps;
• combined heat and power; and
• EV charging.

British Gas is likely to have an advantage where solar is one component of a larger multi-technology energy project.

Utilita may appeal more where the company wants a specialist solar proposal combined with close project support and visible case-study data.

Comparing solar export rates

Utilita is a mandatory Smart Export Guarantee licensee and publishes a rate of 3p/kWh.

The tariff:

• is open even where Utilita does not supply the imported electricity;
• covers eligible generation up to 5MW;
• requires recognised installation certification;
• requires a meter capable of half-hourly export readings; and
• covers solar, wind, hydro, anaerobic digestion and micro-CHP.

British Gas publishes different export rates according to capacity and import-supply status.

Export arrangement	Published rate
Utilita SEG	3p/kWh
British Gas Export Premium, up to 15kW	12p/kWh
British Gas Export Extra, above 15kW	8p/kWh
British Gas non-supply customer rate	3p/kWh

The higher British Gas rates require British Gas to supply the imported electricity.

Export-income examples

Annual export	Utilita at 3p	British Gas at 8p	British Gas at 12p
5,000kWh	£150	£400	£600
10,000kWh	£300	£800	£1,200
25,000kWh	£750	£2,000	£3,000
50,000kWh	£1,500	£4,000	£6,000

British Gas provides the higher published payment for eligible supply customers.

However, a business generating most of its electricity for its own use may save more through avoided grid imports than it earns through exports.

Electric vehicle charging

Utilita installs tailored EV chargers for:

• employees;
• customers;
• commercial fleets;
• visitor parking;
• leisure venues;
• hotels;
• retail sites; and
• solar carports.

Its services can include custom payment arrangements, allowing the site owner to charge drivers and create an additional revenue stream.

British Gas offers commercial and communal EV charging, particularly for:

• commercial landlords;
• apartment developments;
• shared car parks;
• property developers;
• employees; and
• tenants without private driveways.

Utilita may have the advantage for a solar-linked customer, visitor or fleet installation.

British Gas may be stronger where the principal requirement is communal charging, tenant billing or integration with a wider Centrica infrastructure project.

Multi-site and large-business services

Utilita supports group billing and half-hourly supplies but does not currently promote an extensive wholesale trading platform comparable with British Gas’s flexible contracts.

British Gas offers:

• half-hourly tariffs;
• complex metering;
• commercial connections;
• landlord services;
• multi-site reporting;
• group account management;
• Energy360;
• Flex Advantage;
• Full Flex;
• Flex Cash Out; and
• wider Centrica infrastructure services.

British Gas is therefore more likely to suit a major energy user with an internal procurement team.

Utilita may be preferable for an SME or medium-sized group that values fixed pricing, smart data and dedicated account support over active wholesale trading.

Utilita 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 straightforward fix	Compare both	Both offer fixed SME contracts
Business wanting a 12-, 24- or 36-month term	Utilita	Clearly defined fixed-term selection
Online-only microbusiness	British Gas Lite	Dedicated digital tariff
Company wanting telephone account support	Utilita or standard British Gas	Lite is webchat-only
Business seeking wholesale purchasing	British Gas	Flex products begin above 1GWh
Company using more than 10GWh	British Gas	Full Flex and Flex Cash Out
Business requiring renewable-only electricity	British Gas	Natural Renewable Electricity
Business avoiding certificate-based green claims	Utilita may appeal	Focus on physical grid data and on-site generation
Company requiring renewable gas	British Gas	Defined RGGO-backed options
SME wanting real-time smart-meter insights	Utilita	Central part of its proposition
Company needing detailed half-hourly reports	British Gas	Energy360 DataView
Business with a suitable large roof	Compare both	Both offer financed commercial solar
Venue wanting published solar case studies	Utilita	Extensive sports and community examples
Solar exporter up to 15kW	British Gas	12p/kWh for eligible customers
Solar exporter above 15kW	British Gas	8p/kWh for eligible supply customers
Non-supply SEG customer	Either	Both publish 3p/kWh
Customer-facing EV charging	Utilita	Custom payment and revenue options
Commercial landlord	British Gas	Landlord and communal-charging services
Medium multi-site SME	Utilita may suit	Group billing and dedicated support
National multi-site corporation	British Gas may suit	Procurement, data and metering breadth

Final verdict: Utilita vs British Gas

Utilita and British Gas can both supply electricity and gas to UK companies, but they have different areas of strength.

Utilita is likely to be the better fit where the company wants:

• a fixed contract lasting 12, 24 or 36 months;
• dedicated commercial account support;
• smart-meter data;
• transparent termination and broker-commission formulas;
• group billing;
• a tailored commercial solar installation;
• zero-upfront PPA funding; or
• solar-linked EV charging.

British Gas is likely to be the stronger option where the business wants:

• British Gas Lite;
• a rolling contract;
• sophisticated wholesale procurement;
• renewable-only electricity;
• renewable or carbon-neutral gas;
• detailed half-hourly analytics;
• higher SEG payments;
• complex metering and connections; or
• services across a large national estate.

British Gas also has the stronger supplier-wide environmental figures. Its 2024/25 electricity mix had a reported carbon intensity of 53g/kWh, compared with 481g/kWh for Utilita.

Utilita takes the position that certificate-backed green tariffs can provide a misleading impression of the electricity physically delivered. Its alternative proposition is to help customers consume less, understand real-time grid emissions and install generation directly at their premises.

The pricing evidence does not produce a clear winner.

Utilita’s published deemed electricity and gas rates appear lower than British Gas’s maximum fixed prices in several examples. However, one table shows default variable rates and the other shows maximum fixed-price ceilings. Neither represents the best live quotation necessarily available.

Businesses should ask both suppliers to provide:

1. unit rates;
2. daily standing charges;
3. complete annual cost projections;
4. fixed and pass-through elements;
5. contract duration;
6. early termination charges;
7. broker commission;
8. renewable or zero-carbon credentials;
9. meter and capacity costs;
10. smart-data functionality;
11. solar export rates;
12. renewal arrangements; and
13. out-of-contract prices.

For most companies, the conclusion is:

• choose Utilita for dedicated SME support, smart consumption information and a strong commercial-solar proposition;
• choose British Gas for broader tariff choice, renewable products and large-user procurement;
• compare Utilita’s direct quote with British Gas Lite where price and online management are the main SME priorities; and
• select the supplier offering the lowest realistic total annual cost after standing charges, commission and pass-through costs have been included.

FAQ