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

EDF and British Gas are two of the largest and most established energy suppliers serving UK businesses. Both provide gas and electricity contracts to small companies, major industrial users and multi-site organisations, but their commercial propositions have several important differences.

EDF offers small businesses fixed contracts lasting up to four years, including a Fixed Renewable electricity tariff backed entirely by UK Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin. Larger organisations can choose between several fixed, flexible, renewable and nuclear-backed zero-carbon products.

British Gas provides a particularly broad selection of standardised business tariffs. These include conventional fixed contracts, the digital British Gas Lite service, a 30-day rolling plan and flexible wholesale purchasing for businesses using more than 1GWh annually. Qualifying fixed electricity contracts include zero-carbon electricity as standard, while renewable-only electricity and renewable-gas products are also available.

EDF is likely to appeal to businesses seeking a long fixed term, a competitive solar export tariff or sophisticated large-company energy procurement. British Gas may be stronger where a company wants a wider range of SME contract structures, renewable gas, half-hourly data tools or a more unified package of supply, metering and commercial energy services.

Neither company is universally cheaper. Business energy quotations depend on the property, meter, consumption, credit profile, contract dates and selected environmental product.

EDF vs British Gas at a glance

Feature	EDF Business	British Gas Business
Small-business electricity	Yes	Yes
Small-business gas	Yes	Yes
Large-business electricity	Yes	Yes
Large-business gas	Yes	Yes
Public universal contract prices	No	Maximum microbusiness prices published
Small-business fixed terms	One to four years	Normally one to three years; some published schedules include four years
Renewable SME tariff	Fixed Renewable	Natural Renewable Electricity
Standard low-carbon electricity	Depends on the EDF product selected	Zero carbon on qualifying new and renewed fixed contracts
Nuclear-backed product	Zero Carbon for Business	Zero Carbon Energy for Business
Large-business fixed products	Several fixed and partly fixed structures	Fixed and tailored contracts
Flexible procurement	Extensive, including multi-year purchasing	Flex Advantage, Full Flex and Flex Cash Out
Short rolling contract	Variable tariff after a fixed term	Dedicated 30-day Rolling Energy Plan
Digital-only SME product	Online account, but no direct Lite equivalent	British Gas Lite
Supplier-wide renewable share	18.2% in 2024/25	35% in 2024/25
Supplier-wide nuclear share	54.8%	55%
Supplier-wide carbon intensity	135g CO₂/kWh	53g CO₂/kWh
Renewable business gas	No prominent standard SME equivalent	Carbon Neutral Gas and Renewable Gas
Small-business solar export	15p/kWh fixed for eligible EDF customers	8p/kWh for eligible British Gas supply customers
Commercial solar installation	Contact Solar and SAS Energy	British Gas and Centrica commercial solutions
Corporate PPAs	Extensive CPPA and balancing services	Available through British Gas and Centrica
EV charging	End-to-end business and public-sector service	Commercial and communal charging
Consumption monitoring	Energy Hub, Energy View and market tools	Energy360 DataView
Best suited to	Long fixes, high export payments and sophisticated large-user contracts	Tariff choice, renewable gas, digital SMEs and multi-site services

Which businesses can use EDF or British Gas?

Both companies can supply businesses ranging from independent retailers to large industrial groups.

EDF small-business eligibility

EDF’s online small-business route is primarily intended for companies using no more than:

• 100MWh of electricity annually, equivalent to 100,000kWh; or
• 300MWh of gas annually, equivalent to 300,000kWh.

Businesses exceeding either threshold are directed towards EDF’s large-business service.

EDF can also quote separately for companies with:

• several premises;
• half-hourly meters;
• high-voltage supplies;
• large industrial loads;
• flexible purchasing requirements; or
• Corporate Power Purchase Agreements.

British Gas eligibility

British Gas provides standard fixed and rolling tariffs to SMEs, while larger organisations can obtain tailored contracts.

British Gas Lite is designed for small companies that are comfortable with:

• online-only account management;
• monthly Direct Debit;
• smart-meter readings; and
• support through webchat rather than conventional telephone service.

British Gas’s flexible procurement contracts are aimed at larger consumers.

British Gas product	Typical minimum consumption
Flex Advantage	More than 1GWh annually
Full Flex	More than 10GWh annually
Flex Cash Out	More than 10GWh with variable demand

One gigawatt-hour equals one million kilowatt-hours.

Example routes for different businesses

Example company	Annual electricity consumption	Likely quotation route
Independent shop	12,000kWh	EDF small business, British Gas or British Gas Lite
Medium office	70,000kWh	Small-business quotation from either supplier
Large restaurant	130,000kWh	EDF large-business route or standard British Gas service
Hotel	400,000kWh	Large-business service from both
Manufacturer	3GWh	EDF fixed or flexible contract; British Gas Flex Advantage
National retail chain	15GWh	Large multi-site contract; British Gas Full Flex may be relevant
Business with extensive rooftop solar	Varies	Import contract plus export tariff or PPA
Large company seeking a CPPA	Several GWh	Specialist service from either supplier

Meeting a supplier’s normal consumption profile does not guarantee acceptance. Credit history, meter type, premises use and payment risk may also affect whether a contract is offered.

Which supplier is cheaper?

There is no standard EDF-versus-British Gas rate applying to every company.

A business quotation is normally influenced by:

• the electricity MPAN or gas MPRN;
• postcode and distribution region;
• annual consumption;
• meter profile;
• half-hourly consumption pattern;
• agreed electricity capacity;
• contract start date;
• contract term;
• payment method;
• credit risk;
• number of premises;
• renewable or zero-carbon requirements; and
• wholesale prices when the quote is prepared.

A complete comparison should calculate:

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

The supplier offering the lower unit price may still be more expensive if its standing charge or pass-through costs are higher.

How rate differences affect annual costs

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

For a company consuming 10GWh, a difference of only 0.5p/kWh is worth £50,000 annually.

How standing charges affect the result

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

Standing charges can be especially important for seasonal properties, vacant sites, landlords and organisations with numerous low-use meters.

EDF small-business fixed tariffs

EDF offers individually quoted fixed contracts lasting one, two, three or four years.

The supplier says its tariff prices are reviewed weekly, which means a quotation obtained today may differ from one issued several weeks later.

Its standard small-business proposition includes:

• fixed unit rates;
• fixed standing charges;
• online account management;
• dedicated small-business specialists;
• electricity, gas or dual-fuel options;
• Direct Debit and other payment methods;
• smart-meter installation where eligible; and
• the ability to arrange a switch up to 150 days ahead.

A longer contract can provide greater protection against wholesale-price increases, but it can also leave the business paying an above-market price if energy costs fall.

Companies should also check the early termination terms. The supplier may have purchased energy in advance to cover the expected consumption throughout the fixed period.

EDF Fixed Renewable

EDF launched its Fixed Renewable electricity tariff for small businesses in April 2026.

Its principal features include:

• 100% renewable-backed electricity;
• one-, two-, three- or four-year fixed terms;
• UK Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin;
• fixed unit rates during the agreed period; and
• market-based zero-emission reporting for purchased electricity.

Each unit consumed is matched with renewable generation through UK REGOs.

The physical electricity delivered to the property still comes through the national grid, where renewable, nuclear and fossil-fuel electricity are mixed. The REGO system provides evidence that an equivalent quantity of renewable power has been allocated to the customer.

The tariff is likely to suit small companies that want both:

• long-term price certainty; and
• clear renewable-electricity evidence for customers, tenders or environmental reports.

British Gas fixed contracts

British Gas’s principal Fixed Price Energy Plan normally offers terms of one, two or three years.

Its features include:

• a fixed unit rate;
• a fixed standing charge, subject to the full contract terms;
• Direct Debit discounts;
• online account management;
• renewal notifications; and
• zero-carbon electricity on qualifying fixed agreements.

British Gas’s published maximum-price schedule also contains four-year tariffs. Availability should be confirmed during the quotation process because the main product page normally describes terms of up to three years.

A fixed tariff provides greater budgeting certainty but does not fix the total bill. The amount paid still rises or falls according to consumption.

British Gas Lite

British Gas Lite is a digital-first product for smaller companies.

It provides:

• fixed electricity or gas prices;
• online-only account administration;
• monthly Direct Debit;
• automated smart-meter readings;
• electronic billing; and
• support through webchat.

The lower-service model can reduce administration and supplier costs, potentially helping British Gas offer more competitive prices.

It may not suit companies that require:

• telephone customer service;
• complicated billing discussions;
• numerous premises;
• wholesale market advice;
• complex meter arrangements; or
• a specialist renewable product.

British Gas rolling contract

The 30-day Rolling Energy Plan provides an alternative to a multi-year fixed agreement.

It may suit a business that:

• expects to move;
• may close or sell;
• has uncertain future consumption;
• is waiting for a property transaction;
• wants the ability to change tariff quickly; or
• believes market prices may fall.

Rates can rise as well as fall, so the product gives less budget certainty than a fixed contract.

EDF customers can move onto variable prices after a fixed agreement expires, but EDF does not promote an equivalent rolling product as prominently as British Gas.

EDF published deemed prices

A deemed tariff applies when EDF supplies a business that has not agreed a formal energy contract. This frequently occurs when a company moves into premises already supplied by EDF.

The following EDF small-business deemed rates took effect on 1 June 2026.

Standard electricity meter

Payment method	Unit-rate range	Daily standing charge
Direct Debit	47.07p–56.57p/kWh	215p
Cash or cheque	48.07p–57.57p/kWh	225p
Pay as you go	47.07p–56.57p/kWh	215p

The unit price varies by distribution region. North Wales has the highest published standard rate, while London has the lowest.

Economy 7 electricity

For Direct Debit customers, EDF’s published regional ranges include:

Charge	Regional range
Day rate	48.09p–57.79p/kWh
Night rate	43.16p–51.87p/kWh
Standing charge	215p per day

EDF also publishes evening-and-weekend, evening-weekend-night and off-peak tariffs.

The value of a multi-rate meter depends on how much electricity the business uses during the cheaper period.

Business gas

Payment method	Unit-rate range	Daily standing charge
Direct Debit	15.27p–16.24p/kWh	250p
Cash or cheque	16.27p–17.24p/kWh	260p
Pay as you go	15.27p–16.24p/kWh	250p

These deemed rates are variable and are generally more expensive than a negotiated contract.

Illustrative EDF deemed electricity costs

The table below uses EDF’s standard Direct Debit regional range and includes the 215p daily standing charge.

Annual electricity consumption	Lowest regional total	Highest regional total
10,000kWh	£5,491.75	£6,441.75
25,000kWh	£12,552.25	£14,927.25
50,000kWh	£24,319.75	£29,069.75
100,000kWh	£47,854.75	£57,354.75

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

Illustrative EDF deemed gas costs

Annual gas consumption	Lowest regional total	Highest regional total
25,000kWh	£4,730	£4,972.50
50,000kWh	£8,547.50	£9,032.50
100,000kWh	£16,182.50	£17,152.50
250,000kWh	£39,087.50	£41,512.50

These are not representative EDF fixed-contract prices. A business moving into EDF-supplied premises should contact the supplier promptly and agree a contract or arrange a switch.

British Gas maximum microbusiness prices

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

These are price ceilings, not typical or average quotations. Many businesses may be offered lower rates.

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

Single-rate electricity

Fixed term	Maximum unit rate	Maximum standing charge	Estimated 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 contract estimates assume electricity consumption of 21,000kWh per year.

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

The two-year option has the lowest maximum unit rate, but the one-year plan has the lowest standing charge and lowest annualised cost in the published example.

Day-and-night electricity

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

Using the two-year rates:

Consumption occurring at night	Weighted average rate
10%	38.55p/kWh
25%	37.32p/kWh
50%	35.27p/kWh
75%	33.22p/kWh

The standing charge must be added before determining the total cost.

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

This structure may suit a leisure, hospitality or entertainment business with substantial evening and weekend consumption.

Gas

Fixed term	Maximum unit rate	Maximum standing charge	Estimated 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 estimates assume annual gas consumption of 30,000kWh.

The standing charges are exceptionally high because these are maximum-price limits rather than normal market quotations.

Can the published prices identify the cheaper supplier?

No.

The EDF and British Gas figures cover different tariff types.

Characteristic	EDF figures	British Gas figures
Tariff type	Deemed, without a negotiated contract	Fixed contract
Pricing purpose	Default price for an uncontracted customer	Maximum microbusiness ceiling
Regional rates	Yes	National maximum schedule
Price certainty	Variable	Fixed for the agreed term
Typical new quote	No	Not necessarily
Suitable for direct comparison	No	No

At 21,000kWh, EDF’s standard deemed electricity would cost approximately £10,669 to £12,664 before VAT and CCL. British Gas’s published one-year maximum example is £9,285.

This does not prove that British Gas is cheaper than EDF. It shows that an EDF customer should avoid remaining on a deemed tariff. A negotiated EDF fixed quote could be considerably lower.

EDF large-business fixed contracts

EDF offers several fixed structures for businesses consuming more than 100MWh of electricity.

Fixed + Peace of Mind

This provides the greatest budget certainty.

It fixes:

• wholesale electricity costs;
• eligible non-energy costs;
• the cost of EDF’s service; and
• the principal contracted price components.

It supports non-half-hourly and half-hourly meters and can be combined with zero-carbon electricity.

This may suit an organisation that values predictable expenditure more than the opportunity to benefit from falling costs.

Fixed + Standard

This fixes the wholesale electricity component and EDF’s service cost.

Non-energy charges are based on a forecast and may vary.

This may initially be cheaper than a more comprehensive fixed product, but the business accepts greater exposure to changes in:

• transmission charges;
• distribution costs;
• policy levies;
• balancing costs; and
• other third-party charges.

Fixed + Energy Trading

This is intended for electricity consumption of approximately 2,000MWh to 20,000MWh.

It allows the customer to:

• purchase energy in blocks;
• use EDF’s trading desk;
• leave some consumption to be managed by EDF; and
• choose live or reconciliation billing.

This product sits between a conventional fixed contract and a fully flexible procurement arrangement.

Standard Fixed Gas

EDF’s large-business fixed gas contract is normally aimed at consumption above 300MWh.

Wholesale gas costs are fixed, while forecast non-energy charges may change.

EDF flexible contracts

EDF offers extensive flexible purchasing options to large organisations.

Customers can choose to purchase energy:

• one to three years ahead;
• three to five years ahead; or
• more than five years ahead.

The business can also decide:

• whether to purchase energy in blocks or in full;
• when trades are made;
• how much market exposure is retained;
• whether third-party costs are fixed or variable;
• how much support EDF provides; and
• which reporting and monitoring tools are required.

A flexible contract can spread timing risk instead of fixing the entire expected volume on one day.

For example, a business expecting to consume 10GWh might make four separate purchases of 2.5GWh.

Weighted average purchase price	Commodity cost for 10GWh
18p/kWh	£1.8 million
19p/kWh	£1.9 million
20p/kWh	£2 million
21p/kWh	£2.1 million
22p/kWh	£2.2 million

A movement of 1p/kWh changes annual expenditure by £100,000.

Flexible purchasing can reduce the risk of fixing everything when the market is unusually expensive, but it cannot guarantee a saving.

British Gas flexible procurement

British Gas also offers several flexible structures.

Flex Advantage

Flex Advantage is designed for businesses using more than 1GWh annually, including organisations relatively new to wholesale purchasing.

It allows the customer to:

• purchase energy in 20% tranches;
• access market-reflective pricing;
• monitor its position through an online portal;
• spread procurement decisions; and
• receive market information.

Full Flex

Full Flex is designed for organisations using more than 10GWh.

It gives the business greater control over:

• trade timing;
• transaction size;
• fixing;
• unfixing;
• market exposure; and
• portfolio strategy.

Flex Cash Out

Flex Cash Out is intended for larger customers whose actual consumption may differ materially from forecasts.

The contract can use market prices to settle differences between the volume purchased and the energy actually consumed.

This may suit a manufacturer, generator, data centre or industrial operator with variable or weather-dependent demand.

Which supplier is better for flexible procurement?

Both EDF and British Gas have credible large-business services.

EDF may have an advantage where the organisation wants:

• a wide selection of partly fixed and flexible structures;
• purchasing more than five years ahead;
• direct access to an auditable trading desk;
• sophisticated balancing and shaping;
• a CPPA integrated into its supply contract; or
• the choice of nuclear, renewable or mixed energy.

British Gas may be more accessible where the business wants:

• a clearly defined entry product above 1GWh;
• purchases in simple 20% tranches;
• Full Flex above 10GWh;
• Flex Cash Out for uncertain demand; or
• one supplier for gas, electricity, metering and multi-site services.

The result depends on the proposed trading framework, service fees and risk policy rather than the supplier name alone.

Comparing renewable and zero-carbon electricity

Both suppliers provide renewable and zero-carbon electricity, but neither company’s overall fuel mix is entirely renewable.

EDF supplier-wide fuel mix

EDF’s electricity mix from April 2024 to March 2025 was:

Source	EDF	UK average
Coal	4.2%	5.9%
Natural gas	21%	33.3%
Nuclear	54.8%	16.2%
Renewables	18.2%	42.1%
Other	1.8%	2.5%
Carbon emissions	135g/kWh	154g/kWh
Radioactive waste	0.0038g/kWh	0.0011g/kWh

EDF’s overall mix has a lower reported carbon intensity than the UK average because nuclear generation accounts for more than half of its electricity.

Its renewable proportion is nevertheless below the national average.

EDF product fuel mixes

EDF publishes separate environmental characteristics for different products.

Product	Nuclear	Renewable	Fossil and other	Reported CO₂
Zero Carbon	100%	0%	0%	0g/kWh
Renewable	0%	100%	0%	0g/kWh
All other products	53%	0.5%	46.5%	233g/kWh

The choice of product is therefore crucial.

An organisation buying EDF Renewable receives different environmental reporting evidence from one on an ordinary EDF product.

British Gas supplier-wide fuel mix

British Gas’s corresponding mix was:

Source	British Gas	UK average published by British Gas
Coal	1%	6%
Natural gas	8%	33%
Nuclear	55%	16%
Renewables	35%	42%
Other	1%	3%
Carbon emissions	53g/kWh	205g/kWh
Zero-carbon proportion	90%	58%

British Gas had:

• a higher renewable proportion than EDF;
• a similar nuclear proportion;
• lower gas and coal use; and
• a substantially lower supplier-wide reported carbon intensity.

British Gas product fuel mixes

Product	Nuclear	Renewable	Fossil and other	Reported CO₂
Renewable Energy for Business	0%	100%	0%	0g/kWh
Zero Carbon Energy for Business	79%	21%	0%	0g/kWh
All other products	54%	30%	16%	81g/kWh

British Gas currently says zero-carbon electricity is included as standard for customers starting or renewing qualifying business contracts. British Gas Lite is excluded.

Businesses requiring renewable-only electricity should choose Natural Renewable Electricity rather than relying solely on the words “zero carbon”.

Renewable versus nuclear-backed electricity

Renewable and zero carbon are not identical descriptions.

Renewable sources include:

• wind;
• solar;
• hydroelectricity;
• biomass; and
• some other replenishing sources.

Zero-carbon products can also include nuclear generation.

This means:

• EDF Fixed Renewable is renewable-only;
• EDF Zero Carbon for Business is nuclear-backed;
• British Gas Natural Renewable Electricity is renewable-only; and
• British Gas Zero Carbon Energy combines renewable and nuclear backing.

A company should define its environmental policy before requesting quotes.

Some organisations accept nuclear generation because it produces no carbon dioxide at the point of generation. Others require electricity backed exclusively by renewables because of radioactive waste, internal procurement rules or public commitments.

Which supplier has greener electricity?

There is no single answer.

Environmental priority	Likely stronger fit
Lower supplier-wide carbon intensity	British Gas
Higher supplier-wide renewable share	British Gas
Nuclear-backed zero-carbon product	EDF or British Gas
Renewable-only SME tariff with terms up to four years	EDF
Renewable-only British Gas contract	British Gas Natural Renewable
Choice between nuclear, renewable and standard electricity	EDF
Zero-carbon backing included on qualifying standard contracts	British Gas
Corporate renewable PPA	Compare both

The product selected is more important than the supplier-wide figures for market-based emissions reporting.

Comparing business gas

The suppliers differ more significantly in their environmental gas products.

EDF business gas

EDF offers fixed and flexible business gas contracts.

Its ordinary small-business gas tariffs should be regarded as conventional network gas unless the quotation expressly includes certificates or carbon offsetting.

Large organisations can discuss carbon-offsetting and broader net-zero services with EDF, but the supplier does not prominently advertise a standard small-business gas product equivalent to British Gas Renewable Gas.

British Gas Carbon Neutral Gas

British Gas’s Carbon Neutral Gas product is divided into:

Environmental mechanism	Proportion
UK renewable gas backed by RGGOs	10%
Gas supported by carbon offsets	90%

The 10% renewable portion is matched with UK-produced biomethane.

The remaining emissions are balanced through qualifying offset projects.

This does not prevent combustion emissions from occurring at the customer’s premises.

British Gas Renewable Gas

British Gas also offers a product under which 100% of the customer’s consumption is matched with UK Renewable Gas Guarantees of Origin.

It is offered to qualifying businesses, including organisations consuming more than 150MWh of gas annually.

The physical gas delivered through the network remains a mixture of fossil and renewable gas. RGGOs provide evidence that an equivalent amount of biomethane has entered the system.

Which supplier is stronger for gas?

British Gas currently has the clearer proposition for a company requiring:

• a defined renewable-gas percentage;
• 100% RGGO matching;
• certificates for environmental reporting; or
• a combined gas and renewable-electricity package.

EDF remains a credible conventional gas supplier and may be attractive where price, contract structure or procurement flexibility outweigh the need for a standard renewable-gas product.

Smart meters and energy data

Both suppliers install smart meters for eligible business customers.

Benefits can include:

• automated readings;
• fewer estimated bills;
• half-hourly data;
• more accurate consumption profiles;
• easier carbon reporting;
• faster identification of unusual demand; and
• support for export and flexibility products.

A smart meter does not automatically reduce energy costs. Savings depend on the business using the information to change equipment schedules or consumption.

EDF Energy Hub and MyAccount

EDF’s small-business MyAccount service allows customers to:

• view invoices;
• submit readings;
• make card payments;
• update account information;
• manage additional properties; and
• arrange smart-meter services.

Most customers with compatible smart or AMR meters can use Energy Hub to download consumption information.

Where the meter is configured for half-hourly readings, the business can examine usage patterns more closely and identify potential waste.

EDF’s large-business customers can also access products such as:

• Energy View;
• market insight;
• contract-position reporting; and
• real-time or near-real-time monitoring.

British Gas Energy360 DataView

Energy360 DataView is available to eligible existing British Gas business customers with compatible smart meters.

It provides:

• half-hourly consumption graphs;
• daily updates;
• downloadable historical information;
• scheduled reports;
• out-of-hours analysis;
• multi-period comparisons; and
• information to support energy-saving decisions.

The platform may help identify:

• heating operating outside business hours;
• unnecessary overnight baseload;
• refrigeration problems;
• equipment left running;
• unusual weekend demand; and
• changes between different premises.

British Gas has the more prominently developed SME data-analysis platform, while EDF combines SME Energy Hub services with more advanced large-business market tools.

Solar panels and battery storage

Both suppliers can support commercial solar installations.

EDF small-business solar

EDF directs SMEs towards Contact Solar, part of the EDF family.

Services can include:

• site assessment;
• system design;
• solar panel installation;
• battery storage;
• monitoring;
• technical support; and
• integration with EDF’s export tariffs.

This may appeal to a small business seeking one route for its imported electricity, solar installation and export payments.

EDF large-business solar

EDF group company SAS Energy delivers larger commercial and public-sector solar projects.

Options can include:

• rooftop solar;
• ground-mounted systems;
• battery storage;
• capital purchase;
• Power Purchase Agreements;
• maintenance;
• multi-site programmes; and
• integration with EV charging.

Under a PPA model, the provider may fund and operate the installation while the customer purchases electricity generated on site over a long contract.

Commercial solar PPAs often last 15 to 25 years, so the property rights, indexation and termination terms require careful review.

British Gas commercial solar

British Gas and Centrica Business Solutions also provide:

• rooftop and ground-mounted solar;
• carport installations;
• battery storage;
• monitoring;
• maintenance;
• capital and funded options;
• export arrangements; and
• integration with wider energy services.

British Gas says suitable commercial projects may reduce electricity costs materially, but savings depend on the site, consumption profile, installation cost and financing.

Comparing solar export rates

EDF currently has the stronger published small-business export rate.

EDF Export 12M Small Business

Eligible EDF electricity customers can receive:

Feature	EDF Export 12M
Export rate	15p/kWh
Contract term	One year
Price type	Fixed
Exit fee	None
Generation limit	Up to 5MW, or 50kW for micro-CHP
Meter requirement	Smart or half-hourly export meter

EDF also publishes:

• 5.6p/kWh through its variable tariff for EDF electricity customers; and
• 3p/kWh through a variable tariff available where another company supplies the imported electricity.

British Gas Smart Export Guarantee

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

Separate categories apply to:

• installations below 15kW;
• installations above 15kW; and
• customers whose imported electricity is supplied by another company.

Eligible technologies can normally have capacity up to 5MW, except micro-CHP, which is limited to 50kW.

Export-income comparison

Annual electricity exported	EDF at 15p/kWh	British Gas at 8p/kWh	Difference
5,000kWh	£750	£400	£350
10,000kWh	£1,500	£800	£700
25,000kWh	£3,750	£2,000	£1,750
50,000kWh	£7,500	£4,000	£3,500
100,000kWh	£15,000	£8,000	£7,000

EDF’s fixed rate is 87.5% higher than British Gas’s published 8p supply-customer rate.

The business must still compare eligibility, meter requirements, contract length and any import-supply conditions.

Corporate Power Purchase Agreements

EDF has a substantial public proposition for Corporate Power Purchase Agreements.

A CPPA links a business with a renewable generator through a long-term commercial arrangement.

Potential benefits include:

• renewable-electricity traceability;
• long-term price protection;
• support for new generation;
• improved environmental reporting;
• a closer relationship with a specific solar or wind project; and
• reduced exposure to conventional wholesale markets.

EDF can provide:

• generator selection;
• tender management;
• balancing and shaping;
• sleeving into the customer’s supply contract;
• settlement;
• renewable certificates; and
• management of the difference between generation and demand.

EDF has publicly described CPPAs involving organisations such as Tesco, Lloyds Banking Group and other large companies.

British Gas and Centrica can also provide renewable PPAs and funded on-site generation. A large customer should seek proposals from both groups rather than assuming that the incumbent energy supplier will provide the best PPA.

EV charging

EDF EV services

EDF provides business and public-sector charging solutions covering:

• site assessment;
• workplace chargers;
• fleet-depot charging;
• rapid chargers;
• installation;
• capacity assessment;
• energy supply;
• maintenance;
• charge-point management; and
• integration with solar and batteries.

EDF’s service is particularly relevant to:

• transport fleets;
• emergency services;
• local authorities;
• public car parks;
• logistics operators; and
• businesses needing chargers across several sites.

British Gas EV services

British Gas provides commercial and communal charging solutions, with particular emphasis on:

• commercial landlords;
• apartment developments;
• shared parking;
• property developers;
• employee charging; and
• managed billing.

Its Communal EV Charging Tariff can combine electricity, charging equipment and payment administration.

EDF is likely to have the stronger public proposition for larger fleet or public-sector charging projects. British Gas may be attractive for property and shared-parking applications.

Demand flexibility

EDF operates PowerShift, which helps connect and optimise flexible assets such as:

• batteries;
• solar installations;
• EV chargers;
• heat pumps; and
• other controllable equipment.

PowerShift can help an organisation earn value by adjusting consumption or export in response to grid and wholesale-market conditions.

British Gas runs business flexibility and PeakSave programmes, allowing eligible customers to benefit from moving demand into selected periods.

These schemes can change over time and may be restricted to compatible smart meters or invited customers.

Customer service and account management

EDF

EDF small-business customers receive:

• dedicated business energy specialists;
• online MyAccount access;
• telephone support;
• electronic bills;
• smart-meter booking;
• meter-reading submission;
• card and Direct Debit payment options; and
• support with adding further premises.

A business with several properties may need to obtain its quote through the sales team rather than the standard online process.

British Gas

British Gas offers different service levels.

Standard customers can receive:

• telephone support;
• online account management;
• smart-meter services;
• renewal support;
• metering assistance; and
• specialist large-business account management.

British Gas Lite customers use:

• webchat;
• automated meter readings;
• monthly Direct Debit; and
• online account tools.

A company should therefore compare the service channel as well as price. A cheaper online tariff may be poor value if complex problems require frequent intervention.

Contract renewal and expiry

EDF allows small businesses to arrange a switch up to 150 days in advance.

At the end of a fixed contract, customers that do not renew may move onto variable or out-of-contract rates.

British Gas also contacts customers before expiry. A customer taking no action may move onto its Variable Price Plan.

Both suppliers’ variable and deemed rates are generally more expensive than negotiated fixed contracts.

Companies should begin reviewing options several months before the contract ends.

Contract risks to check

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

Most business contracts also have no automatic 14-day cooling-off period, including agreements made by telephone.

Before accepting a contract, check:

• start and end dates;
• unit rates;
• standing charges;
• fixed and pass-through components;
• network and policy charges;
• meter and data fees;
• electricity capacity costs;
• excess-capacity charges;
• volume-tolerance provisions;
• early termination fees;
• payment terms;
• renewable or zero-carbon evidence;
• broker commission;
• security deposits;
• renewal windows; and
• post-contract rates.

EDF also discloses broker commission in its small-business contract pack where a third party arranged the agreement. The amount may be incorporated into the unit rate as a pence-per-kWh uplift.

EDF advantages and disadvantages

British Gas advantages and disadvantages

Which supplier is better for different companies?

Business type or requirement	Likely better fit	Reason
Small business wanting a four-year fix	EDF	Clearly advertises fixed SME contracts up to four years
Online-only microbusiness	British Gas Lite	Dedicated digital product
Business wanting a 30-day tariff	British Gas	Published rolling option
Company seeking renewable-only electricity	EDF Fixed Renewable or British Gas Natural Renewable	Both offer 100% REGO-backed products
Company seeking nuclear-backed power	EDF	Zero Carbon for Business is entirely nuclear-backed
Company wanting zero carbon without choosing an upgrade	British Gas	Included on qualifying fixed contracts
Business requiring renewable gas	British Gas	Carbon Neutral and Renewable Gas products
Business with rooftop solar	EDF	Published 15p/kWh export rate
Small solar exporter not supplied by either	Compare variable SEG products	Eligibility and non-supply rates differ
Business using more than 1GWh	Compare both	EDF has flexible contracts; British Gas has Flex Advantage
Business using more than 10GWh	Compare both	Both offer sophisticated procurement
Company seeking a CPPA	EDF may have an advantage	Extensive public balancing and shaping experience
Company wanting fully fixed large-business costs	EDF	Fixed + Peace of Mind
Business needing half-hourly SME analytics	British Gas	Energy360 DataView
Business wanting integrated market data	EDF	Energy View and market tools
EV fleet or public-sector charging	EDF may have an advantage	Broader end-to-end public proposition
Commercial landlord	British Gas may have an advantage	Communal charging and landlord services
National multi-site organisation	Compare both	Both have dedicated portfolio services

Final verdict: EDF vs British Gas

EDF and British Gas are both credible choices for UK businesses, but their strongest features address different requirements.

EDF is likely to be the better option where the company wants:

• a fixed SME tariff lasting up to four years;
• renewable-only or nuclear-backed electricity;
• a high published solar export rate;
• sophisticated large-business contract structures;
• long-term flexible procurement;
• CPPA balancing and shaping;
• large-scale solar;
• EV charging; or
• optimisation of batteries and flexible assets.

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

• a wider range of standard SME tariff formats;
• British Gas Lite;
• a 30-day rolling contract;
• renewable or carbon-neutral gas;
• an accessible flexible product above 1GWh;
• Energy360 DataView;
• commercial landlord services; or
• one supplier for energy, metering and a complex multi-site estate.

The published pricing information does not establish a universal winner.

EDF’s figures are deemed rates for businesses without an agreed contract. British Gas’s figures are maximum fixed-contract prices for microbusiness customers. Both are generally above the most competitive individually negotiated offers.

A fair comparison should require EDF and British Gas to quote for:

1. the same meter and postcode;
2. identical annual consumption;
3. the same contract start date;
4. the same contract length;
5. equivalent renewable or zero-carbon backing;
6. all standing charges;
7. capacity and metering costs;
8. fixed and pass-through charges;
9. early termination liability;
10. broker commission;
11. solar export income;
12. renewal arrangements; and
13. the complete expected annual cost.

For most businesses, the conclusion is:

• choose EDF for longer SME fixes, stronger published solar export payments and sophisticated large-company procurement;
• choose British Gas for broader tariff choice, renewable gas, digital SME service and data tools;
• compare EDF Fixed Renewable with British Gas Natural Renewable Electricity where renewable-only credentials matter; and
• select the supplier offering the lowest realistic total cost after every fixed and variable charge has been included.

FAQ