ScottishPower vs Utilita: comparing commercial tariffs and features for your business

ScottishPower and Utilita both supply gas and electricity to UK businesses, but their services have different strengths.

ScottishPower’s current business electricity proposition is Renewable For Business. It offers one-, two- and three-year contracts, with wholesale energy costs fixed and network, environmental and other industry costs reviewed quarterly. Every unit of electricity is matched with renewable power generated from ScottishPower’s own UK renewable resources.

Utilita Business focuses on fixed-price energy plans, compulsory smart metering, real-time consumption information and dedicated account support. Its renewal service currently offers fixed terms of 12, 24 or 36 months. Charges are generally fixed apart from pass-through costs and specified contractual circumstances.

ScottishPower is likely to be the stronger choice where renewable-backed electricity, supplier-owned UK generation and a broad EV-charging service are priorities.

Utilita may suit companies that value smart-meter data, conventional fixed pricing, transparent broker-commission provisions and flexible funding for commercial solar installations.

Neither supplier is automatically cheaper. The result depends on matched quotations for the same meter, consumption, postcode and contract period.

ScottishPower vs Utilita at a glance

Feature	ScottishPower Business	Utilita Business
Business electricity	Yes	Yes
Business gas	Yes	Yes
Fixed contract terms	One, two or three years	12, 24 or 36 months
Wholesale energy fixed	Yes	Yes on fixed plans
Industry and pass-through costs	Reviewed quarterly	Certain costs can be passed through
Renewable business electricity	Renewable For Business	No prominent renewable-only supply tariff
Source of renewable backing	ScottishPower’s UK renewable assets	Not applicable to standard supply
Smart meter	Available	Required under business terms
Online account	Yes	Yes
Mobile app	Yes	My Utilita Business is primarily an online portal
Dedicated account support	Yes	Yes
Supplier-wide renewable share	7%	0%
Supplier-wide gas and coal share	84%	90%
Supplier-wide nuclear share	4%	4%
Reported carbon intensity	Not stated in the comparable summary	481g CO₂/kWh
Standard SEG export rate	6p/kWh	3p/kWh
Higher export rates	Up to 15p/kWh	No enhanced rate currently advertised
Commercial solar	Yes	Yes
Solar PPA	Bespoke arrangements may be available	Published 20-year PPA option
Hire purchase for solar	Not prominently advertised	Five-year option
Business EV charging	Workplace, fleet, shared and public	Workplace, customer, fleet and solar-carport charging
Fully funded public chargers	Yes, for qualifying host sites	Not prominently advertised
Broker support	Yes	Yes
Published broker-commission cap	Not prominently stated	2.5p/kWh
Best suited to	Renewable supply and extensive EV services	Fixed plans, smart data and financed solar

The tariff and contract information reflects the products promoted by the suppliers in July 2026.

Which businesses can apply?

Both suppliers serve ordinary SMEs, including:

• shops;
• cafés;
• restaurants;
• offices;
• hotels;
• workshops;
• care providers;
• charities;
• landlords;
• warehouses; and
• small manufacturers.

ScottishPower’s quotation process covers business electricity and gas, including companies wanting solar panels, batteries or charging infrastructure. Utilita offers online quotations for individually tailored fixed-price plans and also supports group accounts and half-hourly supplies.

Eligibility and the quoted price can depend on:

• the type of meter;
• annual electricity or gas use;
• half-hourly demand;
• postcode;
• available electricity capacity;
• the number of locations;
• creditworthiness;
• payment history; and
• the proposed contract start date.

Example suitability by business type

Example business	Annual electricity use	Potentially suitable option
Small shop	12,000kWh	Fixed quotation from either supplier
Medium office	50,000kWh	ScottishPower renewable tariff or Utilita fixed plan
Restaurant	100,000kWh	Compare the complete quotations
Hotel	400,000kWh	Bespoke or group arrangement
Multi-site retailer	1GWh	Portfolio quotation from either supplier
Business prioritising renewable electricity	Any eligible level	ScottishPower
Business prioritising smart-meter visibility	Any eligible level	Utilita
Company installing rooftop solar	Site-dependent	Compare both installation proposals
Solar exporter	Generation-dependent	ScottishPower likely pays more
EV fleet operator	High site demand	ScottishPower fleet solution
Business wanting solar with no upfront payment	Suitable premises	Utilita solar PPA
Retail site wanting public chargers	Suitable car park	ScottishPower host scheme

Which supplier is cheaper?

Neither ScottishPower nor Utilita publishes a single contracted rate applying to every UK business.

Commercial quotations normally depend on:

• the electricity MPAN or gas MPRN;
• distribution region;
• annual consumption;
• meter profile;
• half-hourly demand pattern;
• agreed electricity capacity;
• contract start date;
• contract length;
• payment method;
• company credit;
• broker involvement; and
• wholesale prices when the quote is prepared.

The expected annual cost should be calculated as:

• Annual consumption multiplied by the unit rate
• plus the daily standing charge multiplied by 365
• plus capacity, metering, network and policy costs
• plus VAT and Climate Change Levy where applicable
• minus export payments and other credits

A tariff with the lowest unit rate may not produce the lowest bill if it has higher standing charges or pass-through costs.

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

For a business using 1GWh annually, a difference of only 1p/kWh changes expenditure by £10,000.

How standing charges affect annual costs

Daily standing-charge difference	Annual difference per meter	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 seasonal businesses, landlords, vacant premises and companies operating numerous lightly used meters.

ScottishPower Renewable For Business

ScottishPower’s current electricity product is Renewable For Business.

Its main features are:

• one-, two- or three-year terms;
• fixed wholesale electricity costs;
• variable industry costs;
• quarterly cost reviews;
• renewable electricity matching;
• a choice of payment methods; and
• online and app-based account management.

ScottishPower states that every unit consumed under Renewable For Business is matched with renewable electricity generated from its own UK renewable resources and supported by Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin.

This provides a more specific environmental proposition than merely buying unrelated certificates, because the matching is linked with ScottishPower’s renewable generation portfolio.

How ScottishPower’s pricing works

ScottishPower divides the tariff into two main elements.

Fixed energy costs

The wholesale energy portion is fixed for the agreed contract period.

This protects the company from increases in the wholesale price of electricity or gas during the term.

Variable industry costs

Network, social, environmental and other industry charges can move up or down.

ScottishPower reviews them quarterly, with changes taking effect on:

• 1 January;
• 1 April;
• 1 July; and
• 1 October.

The tariff therefore has a fixed contract term without guaranteeing that every part of the total unit rate and standing charge will remain unchanged.

Advantages of ScottishPower’s tariff structure

The tariff can provide:

• protection against wholesale-price increases;
• renewable electricity as the standard electricity proposition;
• one-, two- and three-year choices;
• a connection with supplier-owned UK renewable assets; and
• the possibility that variable industry charges could fall.

This structure may suit a business that accepts some variation in exchange for potentially avoiding the risk premium charged by a completely fixed tariff.

Disadvantages of ScottishPower’s tariff structure

Quarterly adjustments make exact long-term budgeting more difficult.

Before accepting the contract, the business should request:

• the fixed wholesale-energy component;
• the initial variable component;
• the standing charge;
• the full list of adjustable costs;
• the date of the next review; and
• examples of previous quarterly movements.

Utilita fixed-price business plans

Utilita promotes locked business energy rates intended to provide protection against unexpected price rises.

Its business proposition includes:

• individually tailored electricity and gas plans;
• fixed-price contracts;
• smart-meter installation;
• real-time usage information;
• accurate billing;
• dedicated business specialists;
• proactive account management; and
• online quotation and switching.

Utilita’s renewal page states that current fixed-term deals are available for:

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

Are Utilita’s rates completely fixed?

Not necessarily.

Utilita’s principal terms state that fixed-term charges remain unchanged except for pass-through costs and specified circumstances. Prices may also change because of legislation, regulation, VAT, incompatible metering or a material difference between actual and estimated consumption.

Utilita separately explains that Transmission Network Use of System charges may still affect businesses on fixed-price contracts because these can be regulated pass-through costs.

The written quote should therefore distinguish between:

• wholesale electricity or gas;
• supplier charges;
• network charges;
• policy costs;
• metering costs;
• capacity charges; and
• other pass-through items.

ScottishPower versus Utilita for price certainty

Pricing feature	ScottishPower	Utilita
Wholesale energy fixed	Yes	Yes
Network and policy costs	Reviewed quarterly	Some can be passed through
Standard term options	One, two or three years	12, 24 or 36 months
Exact complete bill fixed	No	Not necessarily
Published review frequency	Quarterly	Depends on the pass-through charge
Renewable electricity included	Yes on Renewable For Business	No equivalent standard product promoted
Smart-meter requirement	Not universal	Required
Best suited to	Renewable supply with transparent quarterly movements	Conventional fixed plan with smart monitoring

Utilita may offer somewhat greater apparent price stability, but the difference depends on the pass-through provisions in the specific quotation.

ScottishPower is more explicit that industry costs are reviewed every three months.

Published Utilita variable rates

Utilita publishes regional Business Variable Rates for companies that do not have a fixed plan, move into premises it already supplies or remain with Utilita after a pricing agreement ends.

The rates effective from 1 April 2026 include:

Supply	Published range
Unrestricted electricity	39.195p–40.956p/kWh
Electricity standing charge	250p per day
Two-rate electricity day rate	40.543p–42.492p/kWh
Two-rate electricity night rate	38.133p–39.344p/kWh
Gas unit rate	15.418p–15.574p/kWh
Gas standing charge	250p per day

The precise rate depends on the electricity distribution region. These prices exclude VAT and are variable or deemed rates, not fixed-contract quotations.

Illustrative Utilita variable electricity costs

The following examples use the lowest and highest unrestricted regional rates and the published £2.50 daily charge.

Annual electricity use	Lowest regional total	Highest regional total
10,000kWh	£4,832.00	£5,008.10
25,000kWh	£10,711.25	£11,151.50
50,000kWh	£20,510.00	£21,390.50
100,000kWh	£40,107.50	£41,868.50

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

They illustrate the potential cost of remaining without a negotiated fixed agreement rather than the price Utilita would necessarily quote to a new customer.

Utilita half-hourly default rates

Utilita’s half-hourly deemed and out-of-contract schedule effective from 1 April 2026 publishes:

Meter structure	Day or unit rate	Night rate	Standing charge
Unrestricted	39.095p/kWh	Not applicable	£14.40 per day plus kVA charges
Day and night	40.078p/kWh	38.664p/kWh	£14.40 per day plus kVA charges

Metering, data collection, data aggregation, reactive power, excess capacity, CCL and other industry charges can be added separately.

The £14.40 daily base charge alone equals £5,256 annually before capacity and consumption costs.

A half-hourly customer should therefore compare the full meter-specific annual model rather than looking only at the unit rate.

Can these rates identify the cheaper supplier?

No.

Utilita’s published figures apply to variable, deemed or out-of-contract customers.

ScottishPower does not currently present one directly comparable national table alongside its main contracted-tariff page. Instead, it publishes regional quarterly cost movements for different meter types.

A negotiated fixed quotation from either supplier may be substantially below the default rates.

Contract renewal

ScottishPower contacts fixed-term business customers about 60 days before the contract ends. Customers can discuss renewal prices and agree a replacement contract up to six months in advance.

Where no renewal or supplier switch is arranged, the business moves onto ScottishPower’s Standard Variable tariff, which ScottishPower says is normally more expensive than its contracted products.

Utilita also contacts customers 60 days before expiry. Its renewal service provides an account review, personalised pricing and options for 12-, 24- or 36-month fixed plans.

A customer that does not agree another contract can move onto Utilita’s business variable rates.

Smart meters

Smart metering is a much more central part of Utilita’s proposition.

Utilita smart meters

Utilita requires business energy customers to have a smart meter installed in accordance with its terms.

The meter can provide:

• automatic readings;
• fewer estimated bills;
• actual consumption information;
• real-time usage insight;
• improved budgeting; and
• data to support energy-efficiency decisions.

A smart meter does not reduce consumption by itself. Savings depend on the company using the information to change equipment schedules, heating, lighting or operating practices.

ScottishPower smart meters

ScottishPower also installs smart meters for eligible business customers.

Customers can use the online account or mobile app to:

• monitor energy use;
• enter meter readings where necessary;
• view bills;
• make payments; and
• manage account details.

Online account comparison

Feature	ScottishPower	Utilita
View bills	Yes	Yes
Make payments	Yes	Yes
Submit meter readings	Yes	Yes
Automatic smart readings	Yes	Yes
View billed consumption	Yes	Yes
Real-time energy emphasis	Moderate	Strong
Mobile app	Yes	Business portal is the main service
Dedicated account manager	Available	Prominent part of proposition
Group-account pricing	Available through commercial service	Bespoke pricing offered
Smart meter mandatory	No general requirement stated	Yes

My Utilita Business allows customers to view and pay bills, inspect payment history and review billed and estimated consumption.

ScottishPower has the advantage for businesses wanting established mobile-app management.

Utilita has the stronger smart-meter-led service model.

Comparing environmental credentials

The supplier-wide fuel mixes are substantially different.

ScottishPower fuel mix

ScottishPower’s total 2024/25 fuel mix was:

Source	Proportion
Renewables	7%
Natural gas	70%
Coal	14%
Nuclear	4%
Other fuels	5%

Its other, non-green tariffs were reported as 3% renewable, 73% gas, 14% coal, 4% nuclear and 6% other.

These figures should not be confused with Renewable For Business, which is separately matched with 100% renewable electricity.

Utilita fuel mix

Utilita’s corresponding 2024/25 disclosure was:

Source	Proportion
Renewables	0%
Natural gas	75%
Coal	15%
Nuclear	4%
Other fuels	6%
Carbon emissions	481g/kWh
Radioactive waste	0.00028g/kWh

The disclosure covers electricity purchased for supply by Utilita during the reporting period.

Which has the greener electricity?

Environmental requirement	Stronger fit
Renewable-backed business tariff	ScottishPower
Renewable electricity from supplier-owned UK assets	ScottishPower
Higher supplier-wide renewable share	ScottishPower
Lower supplier-wide gas and coal share	ScottishPower
No renewable certificate requirement	Neither standard grid supply changes physical delivery
Smart-meter-led consumption reduction	Utilita
On-site solar installation	Compare both
Published carbon-intensity figure	Utilita publishes one, but it is high
Simple renewable business claim	ScottishPower

ScottishPower is the clear winner for purchased electricity credentials.

Utilita’s current business proposition focuses on smart metering, energy efficiency, solar generation and reducing consumption rather than prominently marketing a standard renewable-only supply tariff. This is an inference from the products currently displayed on its business pages.

Business gas

Both suppliers provide conventional business gas.

Neither currently foregrounds a standard SME gas tariff under which all consumption is matched with certified UK biomethane.

A company wanting a lower-carbon gas product should ask:

• whether renewable-gas certificates are available;
• what percentage of consumption is matched;
• whether carbon offsets are used;
• which assurance standard applies;
• what additional premium is charged; and
• what reporting evidence is provided.

Gas burned at the premises creates direct Scope 1 emissions regardless of the supplier.

Commercial solar

Both suppliers provide end-to-end commercial solar services.

ScottishPower solar

ScottishPower’s business solar service includes:

• rooftop, car-park or outdoor-site assessments;
• preliminary proposals;
• site surveys;
• tailored designs;
• solar panels;
• battery storage;
• nationwide installation;
• Distribution Network Operator applications; and
• arrangements for selling excess electricity.

ScottishPower’s main advantage is the ability to combine:

• renewable electricity supply;
• solar installation;
• battery storage;
• export payments; and
• EV charging.

Utilita solar

Utilita offers:

• commercial solar panels;
• batteries;
• EV chargers;
• bespoke system design;
• installation;
• monitoring and support;
• upfront purchase;
• hire purchase; and
• Power Purchase Agreement funding.

Utilita advertises a typical solar PPA term of 20 years. It installs and maintains the equipment without an initial capital payment, while the business purchases the generated electricity at an agreed rate that is adjusted annually for inflation.

Its hire-purchase option normally spreads payments over five years, after which the customer owns the system.

Which is better for commercial solar?

Solar requirement	Stronger fit
Nationwide turnkey installation	ScottishPower
Solar and battery package	Either
Published no-upfront-cost PPA	Utilita
Published hire-purchase option	Utilita
Full ownership from installation	Either
Solar linked with renewable import tariff	ScottishPower
Solar linked with highest export payment	ScottishPower
DNO application management	ScottishPower
Solar-powered EV canopy	Utilita
Long-term maintenance included	Utilita PPA
Standard export tariff without changing supplier	Compare eligibility

Utilita has the clearer published financing menu.

ScottishPower has the stronger combination of renewable supply, installation and export rates.

Comparing export tariffs

ScottishPower SmartGen

ScottishPower’s current SEG range publishes:

Tariff	Export payment	Principal condition
SmartGen	6p/kWh	Eligible renewable generator
SmartGen Premium	12p/kWh	ScottishPower electricity customer
SmartGen Premium Plus	15p/kWh	ScottishPower customer with qualifying solar or battery installed by ScottishPower

The rates and eligibility are subject to the current SEG terms.

Utilita SEG

Utilita pays:

3p per exported kWh

The company does not need to buy its imported electricity from Utilita.

Eligible technologies include:

• solar PV;
• wind;
• hydro;
• anaerobic digestion; and
• micro combined heat and power.

Generation can normally be up to 5MW, or 50kW for micro-CHP, and a meter capable of providing half-hourly export readings is required.

Export-income comparison

Annual export	Utilita at 3p	ScottishPower at 6p	ScottishPower at 12p	ScottishPower at 15p
5,000kWh	£150	£300	£600	£750
10,000kWh	£300	£600	£1,200	£1,500
25,000kWh	£750	£1,500	£3,000	£3,750
50,000kWh	£1,500	£3,000	£6,000	£7,500
100,000kWh	£3,000	£6,000	£12,000	£15,000

ScottishPower offers the higher published export payments at every tier.

Utilita’s main advantage is that its 3p tariff does not require the company to purchase imported electricity from Utilita.

A business should compare import expenditure as well as export income. A higher export payment may not compensate for a significantly higher import contract where the company purchases much more electricity than it exports.

Electric vehicle charging

Both suppliers provide business charging, but ScottishPower currently offers the broader proposition.

ScottishPower EV charging

ScottishPower’s services include:

• fast chargers;
• rapid chargers;
• ultra-rapid chargers;
• workplace charging;
• fleet-depot charging;
• employee home chargers;
• public-network access;
• shared or communal charging;
• back-office charger management; and
• support with electricity capacity and DNO applications.

Its fleet service can combine depot, home and public charging.

ScottishPower also offers a fully funded public-charger host model for eligible sites. It leases the required land, pays for installation, owns and maintains the chargers and shares revenue with the site owner. The published minimum lease is ten years.

Utilita EV charging

Utilita provides tailored chargers for:

• employees;
• customers;
• visitors;
• car parks; and
• commercial fleets.

Its service can include payment solutions, revenue collection, maintenance, software updates and support. Utilita also installs overhead solar-powered charging stations and can integrate charging with its commercial solar packages.

Which is better for EV charging?

EV requirement	Stronger fit
Basic workplace chargers	Either
Fast, rapid and ultra-rapid options	ScottishPower
Fleet-depot charging	ScottishPower
Employee home charging for fleet vehicles	ScottishPower
Public charging access	ScottishPower
Fully funded public charger hosting	ScottishPower
Shared residential or landlord charging	ScottishPower
Solar-powered carport charging	Utilita
Customer payment and revenue system	Either
Integrated solar and charger installation	Utilita has a clear package
DNO and capacity support	ScottishPower

ScottishPower is likely to be the stronger choice for fleets and public charging.

Utilita may be attractive where chargers form part of a financed solar and battery installation.

Multi-site businesses

ScottishPower allows businesses to manage bills, readings and energy use through its app and online account. Its wider proposition can combine supply, renewable electricity, solar and charging infrastructure.

Utilita provides dedicated account support and bespoke group-account pricing. Its payment services can consolidate arrangements for multiple sites, while My Utilita Business provides online bill and consumption management.

ScottishPower may be stronger where the portfolio wants renewable-backed supply and low-carbon technology.

Utilita may suit a smaller group seeking fixed rates, smart meters and proactive account management.

Early termination

Utilita publishes a defined early termination calculation.

The fee is:

20% of the estimated monthly contract price multiplied by the number of months remaining after the applicable 30-day notice period

The estimated monthly price is based on one-twelfth of annual energy costs, including the standing charge.

For example, if:

• annual projected cost is £3,600;
• the monthly price is £300; and
• eight months remain;

the fee would be:

£300 × 20% × 8 = £480

ScottishPower’s termination rights and any applicable costs depend on the tariff and written contract. Its business terms use an earliest termination date, and customers should confirm the liability for leaving before that date.

Broker commission

Utilita explicitly allows a broker commission uplift to be included in the energy unit rate.

Its principal terms cap the uplift at:

2.5p/kWh

Customers may request a statement showing commission paid or due.

The potential cost is:

Annual consumption	Cost of a 2.5p/kWh uplift
10,000kWh	£250
25,000kWh	£625
50,000kWh	£1,250
100,000kWh	£2,500
250,000kWh	£6,250
1GWh	£25,000

ScottishPower also accepts business arranged through brokers, but its current public renewal information does not state an equivalent universal commission cap.

A business using any broker should request:

• the total commission;
• the pence-per-kWh uplift;
• the payment period;
• whether commission continues after renewal; and
• a direct-supplier quotation for comparison.

Business contract protections

Non-domestic energy contracts are not protected by the household energy price cap.

Ofgem also states that there is no cooling-off period after a business agrees an energy contract, including a contract accepted over the telephone.

Before accepting either supplier’s offer, check:

• all unit rates;
• standing charges;
• fixed and pass-through elements;
• quarterly review rules;
• meter requirements;
• contract start and end dates;
• electricity-capacity charges;
• broker commission;
• early termination fees;
• moving-premises provisions;
• renewable evidence;
• export eligibility;
• renewal procedure; and
• default rates after expiry.

ScottishPower advantages and disadvantages

Utilita advantages and disadvantages

Which supplier is better for different businesses?

Business or requirement	Likely stronger fit	Reason
Company wanting renewable electricity	ScottishPower	Renewable For Business
Business wanting supplier-owned renewable generation	ScottishPower	UK ScottishPower assets
Company prioritising fixed-rate simplicity	Utilita	Locked-plan proposition
Company wanting every cost fixed	Neither automatically	Check pass-through provisions
Business wanting real-time smart data	Utilita	Central part of the service
Company reluctant to install a smart meter	ScottishPower may suit	Utilita requires one
Business wanting mobile-app management	ScottishPower	Established business app access
Solar exporter seeking the highest rate	ScottishPower	Up to 15p/kWh
Exporter not changing import supplier	Utilita or ScottishPower standard SEG	Compare 3p with 6p
Business seeking a solar PPA	Utilita	Clear 20-year published option
Business wanting solar hire purchase	Utilita	Five-year route
Company seeking a turnkey solar package	Compare both	Different financing strengths
EV fleet operator	ScottishPower	Depot, home and public charging
Retailer hosting public chargers	ScottishPower	Fully funded host model
Business wanting solar-carport charging	Utilita	Integrated solution
Landlord needing shared charging	ScottishPower	Dedicated proposition
Business using an energy broker	Compare carefully	Utilita permits a stated uplift
Multi-site SME wanting account support	Utilita	Dedicated group pricing
Company prioritising environmental reporting	ScottishPower	Clear renewable product
Low-carbon technology project	Compare both	Strong but different propositions

Final verdict: ScottishPower vs Utilita

ScottishPower and Utilita can both provide competitive business energy services, but their principal strengths are quite different.

ScottishPower is likely to be the better choice where the company wants:

• electricity matched with renewable generation;
• a direct link with supplier-owned UK renewable assets;
• a one-, two- or three-year contract;
• solar panels and batteries;
• higher export payments;
• workplace, fleet or shared charging;
• fast, rapid or ultra-rapid chargers; or
• a fully funded public-charging installation.

Utilita is likely to be stronger where the company wants:

• a conventional fixed-price plan;
• compulsory smart metering and real-time usage data;
• dedicated account management;
• transparent early termination calculations;
• published broker-commission limits;
• a solar installation with no upfront capital;
• five-year solar hire purchase; or
• solar-powered workplace and customer charging.

The environmental result clearly favours ScottishPower.

ScottishPower’s total 2024/25 fuel mix was:

• 7% renewable;
• 70% natural gas;
• 14% coal;
• 4% nuclear; and
• 5% other fuels.

Utilita’s mix was:

• 0% renewable;
• 75% natural gas;
• 15% coal;
• 4% nuclear; and
• 6% other fuels.

More importantly, ScottishPower’s Renewable For Business tariff matches every unit with electricity generated from its own UK renewable resources.

Utilita does not currently promote an equivalent renewable-only business supply tariff.

The price comparison is less straightforward.

ScottishPower fixes wholesale energy but reviews industry charges quarterly. Utilita locks most fixed-plan charges but retains pass-through provisions for certain network, legal and regulatory costs.

A fair comparison should require both suppliers to quote for:

1. the same meter and postcode;
2. identical annual consumption;
3. the same contract start date;
4. the same contract duration;
5. all unit rates;
6. all standing charges;
7. fixed and pass-through elements;
8. capacity, metering and data costs;
9. broker commission;
10. early termination liability;
11. export income;
12. renewable credentials;
13. renewal and default rates; and
14. the complete expected annual cost.

For most companies, the conclusion is:

• choose ScottishPower for renewable electricity, export income and extensive EV services;
• choose Utilita for smart-meter-led management, fixed-plan support and published solar-finance options;
• compare ScottishPower’s quarterly industry-cost adjustments with Utilita’s pass-through clauses;
• add any broker commission to Utilita’s projected cost before comparing;
• compare both import and export rates where solar panels are involved; and
• select the supplier producing the lowest complete annual cost rather than the lowest headline unit rate.

FAQ