Shell Energy vs British Gas: comparing business tariffs to help you choose for your business

Shell Energy and British Gas both supply gas and electricity to UK businesses, but their strongest products serve different types of customer.

British Gas is likely to be the more accessible all-round choice for a conventional small or medium-sized business. It offers standard fixed plans, the online-only British Gas Lite service, smart meters, Energy360 consumption analysis, PeakSave events, commercial solar panels and a business Smart Export Guarantee.

Shell Energy has the stronger proposition for organisations wanting configurable pass-through pricing, renewable gas, long-term flexible purchasing or integrated energy infrastructure. Its services include fixed contracts, pass-through products, wholesale-market purchasing, renewable electricity and gas, solar, batteries, microgrids and low-carbon heat.

The published price comparison is mixed:

• Shell has lower headline deemed electricity rates, but important network charges are added separately.
• Shell’s small-site deemed gas tariff is marginally cheaper at around 30,000 kWh.
• British Gas has the lower gas standing charge and becomes markedly cheaper for larger non-daily-meter customers.
• British Gas publishes maximum fixed-contract prices for microbusinesses, but these are price ceilings rather than representative quotations.

Shell Energy vs British Gas at a glance

Comparison area	Shell Energy	British Gas
Business electricity	Yes	Yes
Business gas	Yes	Yes
Standard fixed terms	One to 36 months	Normally one, two or three years
Other published fixed terms	Bespoke arrangements	Four-year microbusiness price caps also published
Online-only SME service	No separate sub-brand	British Gas Lite
Rolling contract	Extended supply and other variable arrangements	30-day rolling and Variable Price Plans
Pass-through pricing	Yes, for eligible larger users	Non-energy costs can be itemised; tailored products available
Flexible purchasing	For businesses typically spending over £1 million annually	From 1 GWh through Flex Advantage
100% renewable electricity	Available	Natural Renewable Electricity available
Standard fixed electricity	Renewable options available	Zero-carbon electricity as standard
Renewable gas	Available through certified green-gas products	100% RGGO-backed Renewable Gas available
Current deemed electricity rate	28.312p per kWh	Separate official deemed schedule
Shell electricity standing charge	168p per day	Varies by tariff and meter
Current small-site deemed gas	7.482p per kWh and 446p per day	10.90p per kWh and 201.16p per day
Smart-meter platform	Shell Energy My Account	Energy360 DataView
Demand-shifting product	Flexible products for large users	PeakSave for Business
Commercial solar	Bespoke integrated energy projects	Packaged commercial solar through Centrica partners
Solar export tariff	Bespoke arrangements	Business Smart Export Guarantee
Business-specific Trustpilot profile	4.5 from 179 reviews	British Gas Lite: 1.1 from around 4,000 reviews
Best suited to	Complex procurement and infrastructure	Conventional SMEs and packaged energy services

British Gas markets fixed SME contracts lasting one, two or three years, although its current maximum-pricing page also publishes four-year microbusiness caps. Shell offers fixed, pass-through and flexible arrangements, with its most advanced purchasing products intended mainly for substantial electricity users.

Does Shell Energy still supply businesses?

Yes. Shell Energy continues to supply gas, electricity and low-carbon energy services to British businesses.

Shell sold its former UK household retail operation, but the commercial energy business remains active. Its present offering includes fixed and pass-through supply, flexible purchasing, renewable energy and integrated on-site solutions.

This means references to Shell Energy leaving the UK retail market generally concern household supply, not Shell Energy UK’s business operation.

Which is cheaper: Shell Energy or British Gas?

Neither supplier publishes one fixed rate that applies to every business.

A quotation can vary according to:

• Annual consumption
• Meter type and profile
• Electricity distribution region
• Contract duration
• Contract start date
• Credit history
• Payment method
• Number of premises
• Agreed electricity capacity
• Renewable-energy requirements
• Broker commission
• Treatment of network and policy costs

The available public rates also cover different types of contract.

Shell publishes current deemed and extended-supply rates. British Gas publishes deemed schedules as well as maximum prices that microbusiness customers may be charged when signing or renewing a fixed contract.

A maximum fixed price is not the same as a deemed rate. It is also not necessarily the price that British Gas will quote: eligible businesses may receive considerably lower bespoke rates.

Shell Energy vs British Gas electricity prices

Shell’s current deemed and extended-supply electricity rates took effect on 1 July 2026.

Shell tariff	Unit rate	Standing charge
Deemed non-half-hourly electricity	28.312p per kWh	168p per day
Extended-supply non-half-hourly electricity	35.474p per kWh	168p per day
Deemed half-hourly electricity	27.919p per kWh	217p per day
Extended-supply half-hourly electricity	35.081p per kWh	217p per day

Shell deemed rates normally apply when a business moves into premises supplied by Shell without agreeing a contract. Extended supply applies when an existing fixed contract ends and the business remains with Shell without completing a renewal.

Shell’s additional network charges

Shell’s headline electricity prices exclude:

• Distribution Use of System capacity charges
• Distribution fixed charges
• Reactive-power charges
• Transmission Network Use of System charges

These costs are passed through at the prevailing network rates. The unit rate and standing charge therefore do not represent the complete Shell electricity bill.

British Gas maximum fixed electricity prices

British Gas’s current maximum-pricing page gives the following ceilings for a new microbusiness customer taking a single-rate fixed plan:

British Gas fixed term	Maximum unit rate	Maximum standing charge
One year	38.41p per kWh	334.00p per day
Two years	37.81p per kWh	379.96p per day
Three years	38.04p per kWh	428.43p per day
Four years	38.04p per kWh	462.23p per day

The figures were current on 27 May 2026. They are the most a qualifying microbusiness would pay under the covered contracts, rather than typical British Gas tariff rates. They exclude VAT, the Climate Change Levy and other applicable charges.

Example annual electricity cost

The following calculations assume annual electricity consumption of 20,000 kWh.

Supplier and tariff	Headline annual cost
Shell deemed	£6,275.60 plus passed-through network costs
Shell extended supply	£7,708.00 plus passed-through network costs
British Gas one-year maximum fixed price	£8,901.10
British Gas two-year maximum, annual equivalent	£8,948.85
British Gas three-year maximum, annual equivalent	£9,171.77
British Gas four-year maximum, annual equivalent	£9,295.14

Shell’s deemed headline total is £2,625.50 below British Gas’s one-year maximum fixed figure. Shell extended supply is £1,193.10 lower.

These differences should not be presented as savings because:

1. Shell adds separately charged network costs.
2. The British Gas figures are maximum permitted fixed prices, not typical quotations.
3. Deemed and contracted tariffs serve different circumstances.
4. A live British Gas quotation may be substantially below its published ceiling.

Electricity price verdict: inconclusive.

Shell has the lower headline figures, but only a fully loaded fixed quotation from each supplier can produce a valid comparison.

Two-rate electricity tariffs

British Gas publishes maximum prices for several multi-rate meter arrangements.

For a new customer taking a one-year day-and-night plan, the current maximum charges are:

Charge	British Gas one-year maximum
Day rate	40.00p per kWh
Night rate	31.76p per kWh
Standing charge	334p per day

Its one-year evening-and-weekend product has a maximum 31.66p off-peak rate and a 42.27p weekday-day rate. A three-period meter has maximum one-year rates of 43.03p during weekday daytime, 34.84p in evenings and weekends and 31.12p overnight.

A business with substantial overnight or weekend demand should model its actual consumption across the charging periods rather than comparing only the cheapest rate.

Shell Energy vs British Gas gas prices

The gas comparison is more direct because both suppliers publish current deemed rates.

Small non-daily meters

Supplier and tariff	Annual quantity	Unit rate	Standing charge
Shell deemed	1–73,200 kWh	7.482p per kWh	446p per day
Shell extended supply	1–73,200 kWh	11.044p per kWh	548p per day
British Gas deemed	Below 73,200 kWh	10.90p per kWh	201.16p per day

The British Gas schedule applies from 1 April 2026. Its rates can be changed with 30 days’ written notice and exclude VAT and the Climate Change Levy.

Example annual gas cost

For a business using 30,000 kWh annually:

Supplier and tariff	Unit cost	Standing charge	Annual total
Shell deemed	£2,244.60	£1,627.90	£3,872.50
British Gas deemed	£3,270.00	£734.23	£4,004.23
Shell extended supply	£3,313.20	£2,000.20	£5,313.40

At this consumption level:

• Shell deemed supply is approximately £131.73 cheaper than British Gas deemed supply.
• British Gas deemed supply is approximately £1,309.17 cheaper than Shell extended supply.

Small-site crossover point

British Gas’s lower standing charge saves approximately £893.67 annually compared with Shell deemed supply.

Shell’s unit rate is 3.418p per kWh lower. That difference offsets British Gas’s standing-charge advantage at approximately 26,150 kWh per year.

This means:

• Below roughly 26,150 kWh, British Gas deemed supply is likely to be cheaper.
• Above roughly 26,150 kWh, Shell’s band-one deemed tariff is likely to become cheaper.
• The calculation stops being relevant once consumption exceeds Shell’s 73,200 kWh band threshold.

Larger gas meters

Supplier and tariff	Consumption category	Unit rate	Standing charge
Shell deemed	73,201–732,000 kWh	7.680p per kWh	1,586p per day
Shell extended	73,201–732,000 kWh	11.242p per kWh	1,688p per day
British Gas large non-daily deemed	At least 73,200 kWh	6.080p per kWh	861.69p per day

British Gas has both the lower unit rate and the lower standing charge for these larger non-daily-meter categories.

For a business consuming 100,000 kWh annually:

Supplier	Estimated annual deemed cost
Shell	£13,468.90
British Gas	£9,225.17

British Gas is approximately £4,243.73 cheaper in this example.

Gas price verdict:

• Shell is marginally stronger for moderate band-one deemed consumption.
• British Gas is better for very low consumption because of its lower standing charge.
• British Gas is considerably cheaper for larger non-daily-meter customers.
• British Gas is much cheaper than Shell extended supply in the 30,000 kWh example.

British Gas maximum fixed gas prices

British Gas also publishes the maximum prices a qualifying microbusiness can be charged on a new fixed gas contract.

Contract term	Maximum unit rate	Maximum standing charge
One year	12.54p per kWh	1,710.28p per day
Two years	11.44p per kWh	1,784.47p per day
Three years	10.92p per kWh	1,862.57p per day
Four years	11.07p per kWh	1,975.41p per day

At 30,000 kWh, British Gas estimates maximum total contract costs of approximately £10,005 for one year, £19,891 over two years, £30,223 over three years and £42,125 over four years. These are regulatory maximums and should not be interpreted as ordinary market quotations.

Shell Energy contract options

Shell divides its proposition broadly between fixed, pass-through and flexible purchasing.

Shell fixed contracts

Shell offers fixed-price products designed to improve budget certainty. Its broader product information shows fixed options for smaller businesses alongside renewable electricity and gas choices, tailored payment terms and multi-site support.

A business should check whether its quoted price includes:

• Wholesale energy
• Distribution charges
• Transmission charges
• Balancing costs
• Environmental levies
• Metering and data costs
• Capacity charges
• New taxes or regulatory costs

Shell pass-through contracts

Shell’s pass-through electricity contracts are intended for businesses spending more than £50,000 annually on energy.

The business fixes its commodity price but chooses which non-commodity charges, such as distribution and transmission costs, are passed through at market rates. This can reduce the risk premium built into a fully fixed contract, but it also creates exposure to increasing third-party charges.

Pass-through pricing may suit a business that:

• Understands non-commodity charges
• Can tolerate variable bills
• Wants greater billing transparency
• Has access to energy-procurement expertise
• Believes third-party charges may undershoot suppliers’ forecasts

Shell flexible purchasing

Shell’s flexible purchasing products are aimed mainly at businesses spending more than £1 million annually on electricity.

Eligible organisations can purchase electricity in monthly, quarterly or seasonal blocks or combine pre-purchased volumes with market-indexed residual demand. Shell’s products offer different levels of market access and risk, rather than requiring all expected consumption to be fixed on one date.

Shell’s main contract advantage is configurability. It gives substantial users a clear progression from conventional fixed pricing to pass-through and actively managed purchasing.

British Gas contract options

British Gas offers products for small businesses, conventional SMEs and high-consuming organisations.

Fixed Price Energy Plan

The standard Fixed Price Energy Plan is available for one, two or three years. British Gas fixes the energy cost, although external non-energy charges can be itemised separately on the bill.

The business’s total bill can still vary because:

• Consumption changes
• Certain network and policy charges change
• Capacity or meter costs apply
• Taxes or levies change

British Gas Lite

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

Customers pay by Direct Debit, receive a free eligible smart meter and manage the account through an online portal and dedicated webchat. Lite does not provide conventional telephone customer service; its chat team operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The reduced-contact model may suit a digitally confident small business, but it is less suitable for organisations that want to resolve complex account problems over the telephone.

Rolling and variable plans

British Gas offers a 30-day rolling arrangement and a Variable Price Plan. Customers whose fixed contracts expire without renewal can be moved onto the Variable Price Plan, where rates can rise or fall and British Gas gives notice before changing them.

Flexible purchasing

British Gas offers three principal flexible routes:

Product	Intended customer
Flex Advantage	Businesses consuming more than 1 GWh annually
Full Flex	Organisations using more than 10 GWh
Flex Cash Out	Industrial users above 10 GWh with variable consumption

Flex Advantage allows energy to be bought in 20% tranches. Full Flex supports fixing and unfixing in smaller clips, while Flex Cash Out provides direct wholesale-market trading with market-based settlement of consumption differences.

British Gas’s main contract advantage is scalability. A business can start with Lite or a conventional SME plan and later move into increasingly sophisticated flexible purchasing.

Which offers better price certainty?

Neither supplier should automatically be assumed to fix every component of the bill.

British Gas states that the energy cost is fixed when a contract is agreed. It also explains that non-energy costs cover infrastructure and policy schemes, are set externally and can appear as separate line items. British Gas estimates that non-energy costs can make up around 60% of a typical business electricity bill.

Shell offers both fixed and explicitly pass-through products. A customer selecting pass-through pricing knowingly accepts that network and other non-commodity charges will change.

For a small business, the decisive document is the quotation or supply summary. It should state whether each significant charge is:

• Fixed
• Forecast and reconciled
• Passed through at cost
• Reviewed periodically
• Subject to a change-in-law clause

Price-certainty verdict: draw.

British Gas provides relatively straightforward fixed SME products, while Shell gives more control over which costs remain variable.

Renewable electricity comparison

Both suppliers offer 100% renewable electricity products, but their standard portfolios differ.

Shell Energy renewable electricity

Shell offers renewable electricity backed by UK-certified Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin. Its disclosed business fuel mix for April 2024 to March 2025 was:

Energy source	Shell Energy fuel mix
Renewables	71%
Natural gas	22%
Coal	4%
Other fuels	2%
Nuclear	1%

Shell reported carbon dioxide emissions of 141 grams per kWh across its overall portfolio. Its renewable products are evidenced through REGOs, while renewable gas uses the Green Gas Certification Scheme.

British Gas renewable and zero-carbon electricity

British Gas includes zero-carbon electricity with its fixed-price and fixed-term business plans. The promoted product blend is backed 72% by renewable electricity and 28% by nuclear generation.

Eligible customers can opt for 100% Natural Renewable Electricity at the same price as standard Zero Carbon electricity. The renewable option uses REGOs from sources including wind, solar and hydro, although it excludes British Gas Lite and non-contracted customers.

British Gas’s overall disclosed fuel mix for April 2024 to March 2025 was:

Energy source	British Gas fuel mix
Nuclear	55%
Renewables	35%
Natural gas	8%
Coal	1%
Other fuels	1%
Zero-carbon share	90%

Its portfolio carbon intensity was 53 grams per kWh. Its dedicated Renewable Energy for Business product was reported as 100% renewable, while its Zero Carbon product contained both renewable and nuclear generation.

Renewable electricity winner

Shell has the higher renewable share across its overall portfolio.

British Gas has the lower overall reported carbon intensity, largely because its supply contains considerably more nuclear generation.

For a dedicated 100% renewable product, the comparison is close. Both suppliers offer certificate-backed electricity suitable for market-based Scope 2 reporting, subject to the specific contract and documentation supplied.

Renewable gas comparison

Both suppliers offer certified renewable-gas products.

Shell evidences renewable gas through the Green Gas Certification Scheme, matching purchased supply with renewable gas placed into the network.

British Gas offers 100% Renewable Gas backed by UK biomethane and Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin. The product is promoted to businesses using more than 150 MWh of gas annually. British Gas also offers Carbon Neutral Gas, combining 10% RGGO-backed gas with 90% independently certified carbon offsets.

Renewable gas verdict: draw.

Shell has a strong green-gas offering within its broader procurement service. British Gas publishes more detailed information about its UK biomethane product and its 150 MWh eligibility threshold.

Smart meters and energy monitoring

Shell Energy My Account

Shell gives customers with compatible smart or advanced meters free access to half-hourly consumption data through My Account.

Features include:

• Gas and electricity data
• Intervals as short as 30 minutes
• Up to 12 months of historical information by default
• Downloadable datasets
• Charts showing trends
• Multi-site information
• Bespoke reports
• Account-query tracking

British Gas Energy360

British Gas provides Energy360 DataView without an additional subscription charge to eligible smart-meter customers.

Businesses can view and download daily and half-hourly consumption, identify out-of-hours demand and examine usage trends. Eligible existing customers can request a smart-meter upgrade through their online account.

PeakSave for Business

PeakSave rewards eligible British Gas customers for moving electricity consumption into designated lower-cost periods.

A 2026 promotion offered half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm during weekly events, with advertised savings of up to £100 per meter per event day. British Gas reported that participating business customers had collectively saved more than £640,000, although events, eligibility and savings are not guaranteed for every account.

Smart-energy winner: British Gas for SMEs.

Shell provides strong conventional multi-site reporting. British Gas goes further by combining Energy360 with PeakSave incentives that can convert consumption flexibility into direct bill savings.

Commercial solar and export payments

British Gas commercial solar

British Gas arranges commercial solar systems through partners including Centrica Business Solutions.

Its service can include:

• Site assessment
• System design
• Roof or ground-mounted panels
• Project management
• DNO applications
• Battery storage
• Monitoring
• Maintenance options

British Gas states that suitable projects may see returns in as little as three years, with a more general expected payback range of around three to five years. Actual performance depends on the site, financing, system cost and how much solar electricity is used directly.

British Gas also offers a business Smart Export Guarantee. Its current page shows an 8p-per-kWh rate for existing electricity customers with qualifying installations below 15 kW or between 15 kW and 5 MW. Different terms can apply to businesses that do not buy their imported electricity from British Gas.

Shell integrated energy solutions

Shell’s on-site proposition is more bespoke and can combine:

• Solar generation
• Battery storage
• Microgrids
• Energy-management systems
• Low-carbon heat
• On-site gas generation
• Design and construction
• Operation and maintenance
• Fully funded arrangements

Solar verdict:

• British Gas is better for a conventional commercial solar installation and published SEG arrangement.
• Shell is stronger for an integrated industrial project involving several technologies.

Multi-site and large-business procurement

Both suppliers can support substantial multi-site organisations.

Shell’s advantages include pass-through pricing, group-level procurement, flexible purchasing and the ability to integrate energy supply with on-site assets and decarbonisation projects. Its flexible products are aimed particularly at businesses spending more than £1 million annually.

British Gas provides dedicated support for organisations using more than 100,000 kWh annually, alongside flexible purchasing from 1 GWh and more active wholesale access above 10 GWh. Large customers can receive dedicated account management, quarterly market information and Energy360 consumption monitoring.

Large-business verdict:

• Shell for configurable pass-through supply and integrated infrastructure.
• British Gas for a clearer progression from SME contracts into flexible wholesale purchasing.

Customer service comparison

Shell’s business account and complaint teams operate from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Customers can make contact by telephone or email and use My Account for billing, reports, payments and account queries.

British Gas’s standard business quotation and support lines operate from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. British Gas Lite is online-only and provides webchat during the same weekday hours.

Eligible microbusiness and small-business customers can take an unresolved complaint to the Energy Ombudsman after eight weeks or following a deadlock letter. This protection is available under both suppliers’ complaints procedures.

Trustpilot ratings

Supplier profile	TrustScore	Reviews
Shell Energy for Business Customers	4.5 out of 5	179
British Gas Lite	1.1 out of 5	Around 4,000

Shell has the much higher relevant business-specific rating, although its sample is small. The profile says Shell supplies renewable electricity, gas and cleaner-energy options to UK businesses.

British Gas Lite’s profile is specifically associated with its online-only small-business service. Trustpilot reports a score of approximately 1.1 from around 4,000 reviews and notes that the company has not historically invited reviews, meaning the sample may not represent all customers.

The main British Gas Trustpilot profile has hundreds of thousands of reviews and a much stronger rating, but it is dominated by domestic energy, boiler servicing and HomeCare experiences. It is therefore less relevant to a business energy comparison.

Business-review winner: Shell Energy.

British Gas Lite’s review record is a material drawback for businesses considering the cheaper online-only service.

Shell Energy advantages and disadvantages

British Gas advantages and disadvantages

Which supplier is best for different businesses?

Business requirement	Better choice	Reason
Small office or shop	British Gas	Straightforward SME options and smart-meter tools
Digital-only small business	British Gas Lite	Online service may reduce administration
Business wanting telephone support	British Gas standard plan	Longer weekday support hours
Very low gas consumption	British Gas	Lower deemed standing charge
Moderate small-site deemed gas use	Shell	Lower unit rate after the crossover point
Gas use above 73,200 kWh	British Gas	Lower large-meter unit rate and standing charge
Lowest headline deemed electricity rate	Shell	28.312p per kWh
Fully loaded electricity comparison	Compare live quotes	Shell adds network costs separately
100% renewable electricity	Either	Both provide REGO-backed products
Highest portfolio renewable percentage	Shell	71% renewable fuel mix
Lowest portfolio carbon intensity	British Gas	53g compared with Shell’s 141g per kWh
Renewable gas	Either	Both offer certified 100% renewable products
SME demand shifting	British Gas	PeakSave events
Half-hourly multi-site reporting	Either	My Account and Energy360 both provide detailed data
Conventional commercial solar	British Gas	Packaged installation and SEG service
Microgrid or integrated heat project	Shell	Broader infrastructure proposition
Pass-through electricity contract	Shell	Explicit configurable product
Flexible purchasing from 1 GWh	British Gas	Lower published entry threshold
Business spending over £1 million	Compare both	Both provide sophisticated procurement
Business-specific review rating	Shell	Much stronger Trustpilot score

Final verdict: Shell Energy vs British Gas

British Gas is the better all-round option for many conventional small and medium-sized businesses.

Its standard fixed plans are relatively straightforward, while British Gas Lite gives digitally confident small businesses an online-only alternative. Energy360, PeakSave, smart meters, commercial solar and the Smart Export Guarantee create a broad package of supporting services.

British Gas is particularly attractive for:

• Very low gas consumption
• Gas sites using more than 73,200 kWh
• Businesses wanting PeakSave
• Commercial solar installations
• Smart export payments
• Organisations that may progress from fixed to flexible purchasing

Its most significant weakness is customer service under British Gas Lite. The product’s 1.1 Trustpilot score from around 4,000 reviews is difficult to ignore, even allowing for the limitations of unsolicited online reviews.

Shell Energy is stronger for configurable procurement and integrated energy projects.

Its pass-through contracts give businesses control over how network charges are handled, while its flexible products serve major users that want to spread wholesale purchases over time. Shell also has a higher renewable share across its overall fuel mix and offers substantial on-site energy infrastructure.

Shell is particularly attractive for:

• Pass-through electricity pricing
• Renewable electricity and gas
• Large multi-site portfolios
• Flexible purchasing
• Downloadable half-hourly data
• Solar, storage and microgrids
• Integrated low-carbon heat projects

The price verdict depends on consumption and contractual status:

• Shell’s deemed gas is slightly cheaper at 30,000 kWh.
• British Gas becomes cheaper below approximately 26,150 kWh.
• British Gas is significantly cheaper for larger non-daily-meter gas customers.
• Shell’s extended-supply gas tariff is expensive.
• Shell’s electricity rates cannot be judged without adding its network charges.
• British Gas’s published maximum fixed prices are ceilings, not likely quotations.

For an ordinary SME wanting a broad package of supply, smart technology and solar services, British Gas is the stronger overall choice.

For a substantial energy user wanting control over pass-through charges or an integrated infrastructure project, Shell Energy is likely to be more suitable.

FAQ