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

EDF and Octopus Energy are two major suppliers competing for UK business energy customers, but they approach the market in noticeably different ways.

EDF’s small-business proposition is centred on conventional fixed contracts lasting between one and four years. Its recently launched Fixed Renewable tariff combines long-term price certainty with electricity matched entirely by UK Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin.

For larger organisations, EDF offers fixed, partly fixed and flexible procurement, renewable and nuclear-backed electricity, Corporate Power Purchase Agreements, commercial solar, EV charging and optimisation of flexible assets.

Octopus Energy for Business offers conventional supply alongside a wider selection of innovative SME tariffs. Shape Shifters Trio and Agile reward businesses that alter when they consume electricity, Summer Saver targets seasonal businesses and a No Standing Charge Tariff is available to qualifying meters.

Octopus also offers Panel Power for solar exports, dynamic export pricing for batteries, half-hourly renewable matching through Electric Match and funded on-site generation through Wind Works.

EDF may therefore be the stronger choice for a company wanting a conventional long-term fixed tariff, renewable-only electricity or sophisticated large-business procurement.

Octopus is likely to appeal more to businesses with flexible electricity use, electric vehicles, battery storage, solar panels or several sites requiring detailed renewable-energy matching.

Neither supplier is universally cheaper. Business prices depend on the meter, location, consumption profile, credit history, contract dates and product selected.

EDF vs Octopus at a glance

Feature	EDF Business	Octopus Energy for Business
Small-business electricity	Yes	Yes
Small-business gas	Yes	Yes
Large-business supply	Yes	Yes
Standard national contract prices	Not published	Not published
Small-business fixed terms	One, two, three or four years	Individually quoted; specialist smart tariffs generally last 12 months
Renewable SME tariff	EDF Fixed Renewable	Zero-carbon electricity, with specialist matching services
Time-of-use SME tariff	No prominent equivalent	Shape Shifters Trio and Agile
Seasonal tariff	No prominent equivalent	Summer Saver
No-standing-charge tariff	No prominent equivalent	Available for qualifying bands 2–4
Fixed wholesale procurement	Yes	Available through individually quoted products
Advanced flexible procurement	Extensive large-business service	Bespoke commercial services
Supplier-wide renewable share	18.2%	86.4%
Supplier-wide nuclear share	54.8%	13.6%
Supplier-wide gas and coal	25.2%	0%
Reported supplier-wide carbon intensity	135g CO₂/kWh	0g CO₂/kWh
Renewable-only electricity	Yes	Available through specialist renewable arrangements
Nuclear-backed zero-carbon product	Yes	Nuclear is included in the overall Octopus mix
Granular renewable matching	Available through bespoke renewable and CPPA services	Electric Match
Solar export payment	15p/kWh for eligible EDF customers	12p/kWh through Panel Power
Dynamic business export	No equivalent mainstream SME tariff	Shape Shifters: Export
Commercial solar	Yes	Bespoke commercial renewable projects
On-site wind funding	Available through wider renewable projects	Wind Works
EV charging	Commercial charging and PowerShift flexibility	Smart tariffs, leasing, charging and Electroverse
Business energy monitoring	Energy Hub and Energy View	Online account and smart-tariff tools
Best suited to	Long fixes, renewable-only supply and conventional procurement	Smart tariffs, batteries, exports and flexible demand

Which businesses can apply?

Both suppliers serve SMEs as well as larger commercial organisations.

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

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

Businesses exceeding these levels are normally directed towards EDF’s large-business service.

Octopus does not present the same simple published cut-off for its standard SME quotation journey. It supplies smaller businesses, half-hourly customers and multi-site organisations, while specialist services such as Electric Match are aimed at much larger users.

Example suitability by company type

Example organisation	Annual electricity use	Potentially suitable option
Independent shop	12,000kWh	EDF fixed tariff or Octopus fixed quote
Office	60,000kWh	Conventional fixed contract from either supplier
Seasonal visitor attraction	100,000kWh	Octopus Summer Saver may be relevant
Restaurant	120,000kWh	EDF large-business route or Octopus quotation
Workshop with flexible machinery	250,000kWh	Octopus Shape Shifters
EV fleet depot	500,000kWh	Octopus time-of-use tariff or EDF charging project
Hotel group	1GWh	Multi-site contract from either supplier
Manufacturer	5GWh	EDF fixed or flexible procurement; Octopus bespoke service
Company using at least 10GWh	10GWh or more	EDF large business or Octopus Electric Match
Business with several solar sites	Varies	Octopus matching or EDF renewable procurement
Site suitable for an on-site turbine	High consumption	Octopus Wind Works or an EDF renewable project

The supplier may also assess:

• meter configuration;
• half-hourly consumption;
• creditworthiness;
• available electricity capacity;
• payment history;
• business type;
• number of premises; and
• proposed contract start date.

Which supplier is cheaper?

There is no universal EDF-versus-Octopus business rate.

A quotation normally depends on:

• electricity MPAN or gas MPRN;
• postcode and distribution region;
• annual consumption;
• meter profile;
• half-hourly demand pattern;
• residual charging band;
• agreed electricity capacity;
• contract start date;
• contract length;
• payment method;
• credit risk;
• environmental-product selection; and
• wholesale prices when the quotation is prepared.

The complete annual cost should be calculated as:

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

A lower headline unit rate does not necessarily produce the lower bill.

How unit-rate differences affect annual costs

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

For an organisation using 10GWh, a difference of only 1p/kWh changes annual expenditure by £100,000.

How standing charges affect 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 can have a particularly large effect on:

• seasonal businesses;
• vacant properties;
• landlords;
• multi-site organisations;
• low-use premises; and
• companies retaining inactive meters.

EDF small-business fixed tariffs

EDF offers individually quoted small-business fixed contracts lasting:

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

EDF says it reviews its small-business tariff prices weekly.

Its standard fixed proposition includes:

• fixed unit rates;
• fixed daily standing charges;
• electricity, gas or dual-fuel options;
• online account management;
• dedicated small-business specialists;
• smart-meter installation where eligible; and
• the ability to arrange a future switch.

A longer fixed term provides more protection against future wholesale-price increases.

The disadvantage is that the business may remain committed to an above-market price if wholesale costs fall substantially during the contract.

EDF Fixed Renewable

EDF launched Fixed Renewable for small businesses in April 2026.

The product offers:

• electricity matched entirely with UK REGOs;
• one-, two-, three- or four-year terms;
• fixed unit rates;
• fixed standing charges;
• zero market-based emissions from purchased electricity; and
• evidence supporting environmental reporting.

Each unit consumed is matched with an equivalent unit of UK renewable generation.

The physical electricity still arrives through the national grid, which carries power from renewable, nuclear and fossil-fuel generators. The environmental claim is created through the allocation and retirement of renewable certificates.

Fixed Renewable may suit businesses that want:

• long-term price security;
• renewable-only backing;
• no nuclear allocation;
• evidence for Scope 2 reporting;
• stronger tender credentials; or
• a straightforward environmental claim.

Octopus standard business tariffs

Octopus provides individually calculated fixed and flexible business quotations.

Its standard service includes:

• electricity;
• gas;
• zero-carbon supply;
• smart meters;
• online account management;
• multi-site portfolios;
• solar export tariffs; and
• specialist smart products.

Octopus says it sells standard business tariffs directly rather than paying brokers or comparison services to acquire customers.

A business can still appoint an independent consultant, but it should also obtain Octopus’s direct quotation and check whether any adviser fee has been added separately.

EDF fixed tariff versus Octopus fixed supply

Requirement	EDF	Octopus
Fixed terms up to four years	Yes	Product-dependent
Fixed unit and standing charges	Yes on EDF fixed SME products	Depends on selected quotation
Renewable-only SME product	Yes	Requires confirmation of the specific product
Direct quotation	Yes	Yes
Need to monitor half-hourly prices	No	No on conventional fixed supply
Ability to use a specialist smart tariff	Limited	Strong
Best for predictable budgeting	Strong	Conventional fixed quote may also suit
Best for active demand management	Limited at SME supply level	Strong

EDF has the clearer proposition for a business seeking a conventional long-term fix.

Octopus offers greater choice where the company is prepared to change how and when it consumes electricity.

Octopus Shape Shifters

Shape Shifters is a 12-month smart business electricity tariff.

Eligibility normally requires:

• a compatible working smart meter;
• payment by Direct Debit;
• an account that is up to date; and
• suitable electricity-meter arrangements.

There are two versions.

Shape Shifters Trio

Trio applies three prices during the day:

• the cheapest night rate from midnight to 7am;
• a daytime rate from 7am to 4pm and 7pm to midnight; and
• a more expensive peak rate from 4pm to 7pm.

Octopus describes this as providing 21 hours at prices below the daily peak rate.

The rates within each period are predetermined rather than changing every half hour.

Trio may suit:

• EV depots;
• laundries;
• workshops;
• commercial kitchens;
• cold-storage facilities;
• companies with batteries;
• businesses that can charge equipment overnight; and
• manufacturers able to avoid the evening peak.

Shape Shifters Agile

Agile changes its price every half hour according to wholesale electricity costs.

The following day’s prices are made available in advance, enabling the business to plan its consumption.

The maximum rate is £1 per kWh.

Agile may create savings during low-price periods, but it also exposes the customer to potentially expensive half-hourly rates.

It is most suitable for companies with:

• automated energy management;
• battery storage;
• controllable machinery;
• overnight vehicle charging;
• flexible heating or cooling;
• on-site renewable generation; or
• staff able to monitor day-ahead prices.

Potential savings from moving demand

Suppose a business consumes 100,000kWh annually and can move 20% of its electricity use from expensive to cheaper periods.

The flexible consumption is 20,000kWh.

Difference between expensive and cheaper periods	Illustrative saving
3p/kWh	£600 a year
5p/kWh	£1,000 a year
10p/kWh	£2,000 a year
15p/kWh	£3,000 a year
20p/kWh	£4,000 a year

These are mathematical examples rather than guaranteed Octopus savings.

A business should analyse at least 12 months of half-hourly data before choosing Trio or Agile.

Which is better for an inflexible business?

EDF is likely to have the advantage where operating hours cannot be changed.

Examples include:

• a high-street shop;
• a school;
• a care home;
• a medical practice;
• a restaurant with fixed service hours;
• a hotel with continuous demand; or
• a production line that cannot stop during peak periods.

A fixed EDF contract allows the company to concentrate on reducing total consumption rather than responding to half-hourly market prices.

Octopus may still provide a competitive conventional fixed quotation, but its most distinctive advantages are less valuable where demand cannot be shifted.

Which is better for a flexible business?

Octopus is likely to have the advantage where significant electricity loads can be controlled.

Examples include:

• charging vehicles overnight;
• operating dishwashers or laundry equipment outside peak periods;
• pre-cooling a warehouse;
• charging batteries when prices are low;
• shifting industrial machinery;
• delaying water heating; or
• exporting stored energy during the evening peak.

The value depends on the proportion of total consumption that can realistically be rescheduled.

Octopus Summer Saver

Summer Saver is intended for businesses that consume most of their electricity between April and September.

It applies:

• a cheaper summer unit rate; and
• a more expensive winter unit rate.

Octopus states that a business using more than 70% of its annual electricity during the summer period could save up to 10%.

Potential users include:

• campsites;
• holiday parks;
• seasonal cafés;
• outdoor attractions;
• wedding venues;
• visitor centres;
• summer events companies; and
• seaside hospitality businesses.

A business using more winter electricity than expected could pay more than it would on a conventional tariff.

EDF does not prominently advertise an equivalent seasonal small-business product.

Octopus No Standing Charge Tariff

Octopus offers a 12-month electricity tariff without a daily standing charge for qualifying businesses in residual bands 2, 3 and 4.

The network and policy costs normally recovered through the standing charge are incorporated into the unit rate.

This may suit a company that:

• is at the lower end of its assigned consumption band;
• operates seasonally;
• has several lightly used meters;
• closes for extended periods;
• expects consumption to fall; or
• wants costs to track usage more closely.

It is not automatically cheaper because the unit rate may be higher.

Break-even example

Suppose a conventional tariff has:

• a standing charge of £2 per day; and
• a unit rate 2p/kWh below the no-standing-charge tariff.

The annual standing charge is:

£2 × 365 = £730

The break-even consumption is:

£730 ÷ £0.02 = 36,500kWh

Below 36,500kWh, the no-standing-charge tariff may be cheaper.

Above that point, the lower unit rate on the conventional tariff may produce a lower overall bill.

EDF does not prominently offer an equivalent no-standing-charge small-business tariff.

EDF published deemed electricity rates

Deemed rates apply where EDF supplies a business without an agreed contract, commonly following a change of occupancy.

EDF’s non-half-hourly deemed large-business electricity schedule effective from 1 April 2026 publishes:

Charge	EDF published figure
Unit rate	34.641p/kWh
No Residual standing charge	369.48p–396.35p per day
Band 1 standing charge	391.76p–424.76p per day
Band 2 standing charge	434.70p–496.09p per day
Band 3 standing charge	515.52p–636.29p per day
Band 4 standing charge	789.24p–1,122.65p per day
Unmetered standing charge	362.24p per day

The prices exclude:

• VAT;
• Climate Change Levy;
• metering costs; and
• other applicable charges.

The wide standing-charge range reflects the distribution region and Targeted Charging Review band assigned to the meter.

Illustrative EDF deemed electricity costs

Using the common 34.641p/kWh unit rate and the published Band 1 standing-charge range:

Annual electricity use	Approximate annual cost
100,000kWh	£36,072–£36,191
250,000kWh	£88,033–£88,153
500,000kWh	£174,636–£174,755
1GWh	£347,841–£347,960

These are deemed large-business prices, not negotiated EDF contract rates.

The calculations exclude VAT, CCL, meter charges and other costs.

Can EDF’s deemed prices be compared with Octopus?

Not directly.

Octopus does not publish an equivalent national deemed-rate table on its main business pages.

EDF’s deemed prices apply where no formal agreement exists, whereas an Octopus customer requesting a new contract receives a meter-specific quotation.

A negotiated EDF fixed tariff may also be considerably cheaper than EDF’s deemed price.

The EDF table is most useful for demonstrating the potential cost of remaining without an agreed contract, not for establishing whether EDF or Octopus is cheaper.

EDF large-business fixed contracts

EDF provides several fixed structures for larger energy users.

Fixed + Peace of Mind

This product is designed to provide extensive budget certainty.

It can fix:

• wholesale electricity;
• eligible non-energy costs;
• EDF service costs; and
• other contracted elements.

It may suit companies that prioritise predictable expenditure over the opportunity to benefit from falling costs.

Fixed + Standard

Fixed + Standard fixes the wholesale energy component and EDF’s service charge.

Forecast non-energy charges may change.

The opening price may be lower than a more comprehensive fixed product, but the customer accepts exposure to network and policy costs.

Fixed + Energy Trading

This provides greater control over when energy is purchased.

It can suit a company that wants to buy electricity in blocks while allowing EDF to manage the remaining volume.

EDF flexible procurement

EDF’s flexible contracts allow large organisations to decide:

• when energy is purchased;
• how much is purchased at each trade;
• how far ahead to buy;
• which non-energy costs are fixed;
• how much market exposure to retain; and
• how much support the EDF trading team provides.

Flexible purchasing spreads the risk of fixing the entire forecast on one day.

For a company using 10GWh:

Average purchase price	Commodity expenditure
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 the annual commodity cost by £100,000.

Flexible procurement can reduce single-day timing risk, but it cannot guarantee a saving.

Octopus services for large businesses

Octopus’s large-commercial proposition is more focused on flexibility, renewable matching and on-site generation than on presenting a long list of traditional energy procurement contracts.

Its services include:

• bespoke electricity supply;
• multi-site portfolios;
• half-hourly meters;
• Electric Match;
• Wind Works;
• renewable PPAs;
• flexible assets;
• battery exports; and
• granular carbon reporting.

EDF is likely to provide the wider conventional menu of fixed and flexible procurement structures.

Octopus may be stronger where the company’s main objective is to connect consumption more directly with renewable generation.

EDF versus Octopus for large users

Requirement	Likely stronger option
Conventional fully fixed contract	EDF
Fix wholesale but pass through industry costs	EDF
Staged wholesale purchasing	EDF
Trading-desk procurement support	EDF
Granular renewable matching	Octopus
Named or selected renewable generators	Octopus Electric Match
On-site funded wind	Octopus Wind Works
Battery-linked dynamic exports	Octopus
Nuclear-backed zero-carbon electricity	EDF
Renewable-only electricity	EDF or a bespoke Octopus arrangement
Corporate PPA	Compare both
Multi-site renewable allocation	Octopus may have an advantage

Comparing supplier-wide fuel mixes

The suppliers’ published 2024/25 fuel mixes differ substantially.

Source or impact	EDF	Octopus
Renewables	18.2%	86.4%
Nuclear	54.8%	13.6%
Natural gas	21%	0%
Coal	4.2%	0%
Other	1.8%	0%
Reported carbon emissions	135g/kWh	0g/kWh
Radioactive waste	0.0038g/kWh	0.0010g/kWh

Octopus had:

• the higher renewable proportion;
• no gas or coal in its disclosed mix;
• lower reported carbon emissions; and
• less nuclear electricity.

EDF’s overall portfolio contained a much larger nuclear share.

EDF product-level electricity

EDF’s product-specific allocation differs from its supplier-wide mix.

It offers large businesses a choice including:

• 100% renewable electricity;
• nuclear-backed Zero Carbon for Business;
• mixed-source electricity; and
• tailored renewable arrangements.

EDF Fixed Renewable gives SMEs renewable-only certificate backing.

A company should therefore assess the chosen product rather than assuming its electricity has the same environmental characteristics as EDF’s overall supplier fuel mix.

Is Octopus electricity fully renewable?

Not on the basis of its supplier-wide fuel disclosure.

Octopus’s disclosed mix was:

• 86.4% renewable; and
• 13.6% nuclear.

It was reported as zero carbon, but it was not renewable-only.

A company with a formal policy excluding nuclear power should request product-specific evidence before signing.

Which supplier has greener electricity?

The answer depends on the environmental requirement.

Environmental priority	Likely stronger fit
Higher supplier-wide renewable percentage	Octopus
No fossil fuels in supplier-wide mix	Octopus
Lower supplier-wide carbon intensity	Octopus
Renewable-only fixed SME tariff	EDF Fixed Renewable
Avoiding nuclear allocation	EDF Fixed Renewable
Nuclear-backed zero-carbon product	EDF
Granular half-hourly matching	Octopus Electric Match
Conventional annual REGO matching	EDF
Wider supplier renewable investment	Octopus
Choice between nuclear and renewable sources	EDF

Octopus has the stronger overall supplier fuel mix.

EDF provides the more clearly defined renewable-only fixed product for a small business.

Octopus Electric Match

Electric Match is designed for large businesses using at least 10GWh annually and equipped with half-hourly meters.

It connects the customer with selected renewable generators and matches generation with consumption within half-hourly periods.

Reporting can identify:

• the generator;
• the generation location;
• when electricity was produced;
• the customer’s consumption; and
• the proportion successfully matched.

This provides a more granular connection than annual REGO allocation.

It may appeal to:

• major retailers;
• manufacturers;
• technology companies;
• property portfolios;
• data centres;
• companies with several generation sites; and
• organisations pursuing 24/7 carbon-free energy.

EDF can provide renewable contracts and CPPAs, but Electric Match is one of the clearest publicly promoted granular matching services in the UK business market.

Corporate Power Purchase Agreements

Both suppliers support renewable PPAs.

EDF

EDF can provide:

• renewable-generator sourcing;
• tender support;
• contract negotiation;
• balancing;
• shaping;
• sleeving;
• settlement;
• renewable certificates; and
• integration with the customer’s supply contract.

EDF has extensive experience working with large consumers and generators.

Octopus

Octopus can provide:

• direct renewable contracts;
• selected generators;
• Electric Match;
• Wind Works;
• on-site PPAs;
• off-site generation;
• multi-site allocation; and
• long-term renewable purchasing.

The best PPA provider depends on:

• generator technology;
• contract length;
• price indexation;
• volume risk;
• balancing responsibility;
• sleeving fees;
• credit requirements; and
• whether the project creates new renewable capacity.

Octopus Wind Works

Wind Works enables Octopus to fund, build, operate and maintain generation at a customer’s site.

Potential systems can combine:

• wind;
• wind and solar; or
• wind, solar and electrified heating.

The business buys the generated electricity through a PPA lasting between seven and 20 years.

Octopus manages:

• initial assessment;
• planning;
• consent;
• construction;
• grid connection;
• operation; and
• maintenance.

Any surplus electricity can potentially be exported or allocated to another company site.

The service may suit:

• farms;
• quarries;
• food producers;
• logistics centres;
• factories;
• rural industrial estates; and
• companies with sufficient land.

The business should review the long-term land, ownership, indexation and termination provisions carefully.

Comparing business gas

EDF and Octopus both provide business gas.

Neither supplier prominently advertises a standard SME gas tariff with a clearly defined 100% renewable-gas certificate structure.

Unless the contract says otherwise, the business should treat the supply as conventional network gas.

A company wanting lower-carbon gas should ask:

• whether biomethane certificates are available;
• what percentage can be matched;
• whether carbon credits are used;
• which standards apply;
• how much the environmental option costs; and
• what reporting evidence will be supplied.

Gas burned at the premises still produces direct Scope 1 emissions.

A company seeking substantial emissions reductions may need to replace gas equipment with:

• heat pumps;
• electric boilers;
• electric catering equipment;
• waste-heat recovery; or
• another lower-carbon heating technology.

Energy monitoring and data

EDF Energy Hub

Eligible EDF small-business customers with compatible smart or automated meters can use Energy Hub.

It can help businesses:

• view consumption;
• examine usage over time;
• download information;
• identify high-consumption periods;
• monitor smart-meter data; and
• support basic energy-efficiency decisions.

Large-business customers may also use more advanced EDF tools such as Energy View and market-reporting services.

Octopus tools

Octopus business customers can manage:

• bills;
• payments;
• meter data;
• tariff information;
• multiple premises;
• export credits; and
• contract administration online.

Shape Shifters Agile users can view the following day’s half-hourly rates.

Electric Match customers receive more advanced generation and matching information.

Which has the better energy-data service?

Requirement	Likely stronger fit
Conventional smart-meter monitoring	EDF
Large-business market reporting	EDF
Next-day half-hourly prices	Octopus
Active demand rescheduling	Octopus
Dynamic battery export	Octopus
Renewable-generator matching	Octopus
Fixed-contract budgeting	EDF
Multi-site billing and online management	Both
Advanced wholesale procurement data	EDF
Granular carbon reporting	Octopus Electric Match

EDF’s tools are better aligned with conventional energy purchasing and efficiency.

Octopus’s tools are more closely linked with smart pricing, flexibility and renewable generation.

Solar panels and battery storage

Both suppliers support commercial solar and battery installations.

EDF small-business solar

EDF provides SME solar and battery services through businesses within the EDF group.

The process can include:

• consultation;
• site survey;
• system design;
• solar-panel installation;
• battery storage;
• monitoring;
• grid applications; and
• access to EDF export tariffs.

This provides a relatively simple route for a company wanting installation, imported energy and export payments through one group.

EDF large commercial solar

EDF’s wider commercial solar services can include:

• rooftop systems;
• ground-mounted solar;
• battery storage;
• multi-site installation;
• capital purchase;
• funded PPAs;
• maintenance; and
• integration with EV charging.

Octopus solar and storage

Octopus’s main business strengths include:

• Panel Power;
• Shape Shifters: Export;
• smart imports;
• battery optimisation;
• Electric Match;
• Wind Works; and
• bespoke renewable PPAs.

EDF may offer the easier turnkey installation route for an ordinary SME.

Octopus may be more attractive to a business that already owns solar or batteries and wants to maximise their financial value.

Comparing solar export tariffs

EDF Export 12M Small Business

Eligible existing EDF electricity customers can receive:

15p per exported kWh

The tariff provides:

• a fixed rate for one year;
• no exit fee;
• payment for eligible exported electricity; and
• access subject to metering, technology and account requirements.

EDF also publishes a lower variable export tariff for eligible electricity customers.

Octopus Panel Power

Panel Power pays:

12p per exported kWh

The business must normally:

• have solar panels;
• have generation capacity below 150kWp;
• have a compatible export meter;
• not receive Feed-in Tariff export payments; and
• buy imported electricity from Octopus Energy for Business.

Export-income comparison

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

EDF currently offers the higher published fixed rate for a qualifying existing electricity customer.

The tariffs have different eligibility rules, so the company should compare:

• import-supplier requirements;
• generation capacity;
• contract duration;
• meter requirements;
• payment frequency;
• tariff-change rules; and
• treatment of existing Feed-in Tariff payments.

Octopus Shape Shifters: Export

Shape Shifters: Export is a dynamic tariff for businesses with renewable generation or batteries.

The export price changes during the day according to wholesale-market conditions.

This enables the company to:

• store solar electricity;
• charge batteries when import prices are low;
• export when market prices increase; and
• earn more during valuable evening periods.

A solar-only business with no storage may prefer a fixed tariff.

A company with a controllable battery may achieve more through dynamic export than through a constant payment.

EDF does not currently promote a directly comparable mainstream dynamic business-export tariff.

Which is better for solar exports?

Requirement	Likely stronger option
Highest published flat rate	EDF
Existing EDF electricity customer	EDF
Solar system below 150kWp	Octopus Panel Power remains competitive
Dynamic battery exports	Octopus
Simple one-year fixed export tariff	EDF
Combining import and export optimisation	Octopus
Turnkey solar installation	EDF
Granular multi-site generation allocation	Octopus
Existing solar without changing import supplier	Check EDF’s applicable tariff
Maximum flexibility for storage	Octopus

Flexibility and batteries

EDF operates PowerShift, a flexibility platform that can connect and optimise assets such as:

• batteries;
• EV chargers;
• solar generation;
• industrial loads;
• heating systems; and
• other controllable equipment.

PowerShift can provide access to wholesale, balancing and local flexibility markets.

Octopus provides flexibility more directly through its customer tariffs:

• Shape Shifters Agile;
• Shape Shifters: Export;
• smart import pricing;
• dynamic exports;
• batteries;
• Electric Match; and
• other Kraken-enabled services.

EDF may have the advantage for a large professionally managed flexibility portfolio.

Octopus has the clearer proposition for an SME wanting to benefit through its retail tariff.

Electric vehicle charging

EDF

EDF’s commercial EV services can include:

• workplace chargers;
• fleet-depot installations;
• rapid chargers;
• site-capacity assessment;
• installation;
• maintenance;
• charging management;
• integration with solar and batteries; and
• PowerShift optimisation.

EDF has worked on charging and flexibility services with specialist charging providers.

Octopus

Octopus’s business-EV proposition combines:

• Shape Shifters off-peak pricing;
• electric vehicle leasing;
• salary-sacrifice schemes;
• charger installation;
• charging management;
• battery integration; and
• Electroverse public-network access.

Octopus may therefore be stronger where the priority is the complete vehicle, charger and electricity package.

EDF may suit a company requiring a conventional large fleet-depot or public charging infrastructure project.

Which is better for EVs?

EV requirement	Likely stronger fit
Overnight charging rates	Octopus
Half-hourly charging optimisation	Octopus
EV leasing and salary sacrifice	Octopus group
Public charging-network access	Octopus Electroverse
Major fleet-depot installation	EDF
Public or rapid chargers	EDF
Grid-capacity assessment	EDF
Flexibility-market participation	EDF PowerShift
Solar and battery integration	Both
Simple fixed energy price	EDF

Multi-site businesses

EDF provides services for:

• businesses with several premises;
• half-hourly portfolios;
• landlords;
• public-sector organisations;
• manufacturers;
• large retail estates; and
• major corporate users.

Its services can include consolidated procurement, meter data, large-business account management and fixed or flexible purchasing.

Octopus offers joint portfolios covering:

• switching;
• contract renewals;
• billing;
• one online login;
• central support;
• multiple meters; and
• zero-carbon electricity.

Electric Match can also connect generation at one company site with consumption at another.

EDF may be stronger for conventional large-estate procurement.

Octopus may be stronger where the company wants smart tariffs, centralised digital management or granular allocation of renewable generation.

Customer support

EDF

EDF small-business customers receive:

• dedicated business energy specialists;
• telephone support;
• online account access;
• smart-meter services;
• billing support;
• payment management; and
• renewal assistance.

Large customers receive specialist account and procurement support.

Octopus

Octopus provides:

• telephone and email support;
• direct quotations;
• online account management;
• smart-tariff tools;
• export services;
• multi-site account management; and
• specialist renewable teams.

EDF may appeal to a company wanting a more conventional support model.

Octopus may suit a digitally confident business comfortable managing tariffs, exports and consumption through online tools.

Contract renewal and termination

EDF allows small businesses to fix for up to four years and arrange contracts before their existing agreement ends.

Octopus specialist business products commonly run for 12 months.

If no replacement agreement is arranged, either supplier may apply:

• deemed rates;
• variable prices;
• extended-supply prices;
• out-of-contract rates; or
• other default pricing allowed by the agreement.

These prices are normally less competitive than negotiated contracts.

Both suppliers can impose early termination charges on applicable fixed tariffs.

Contract risks to check

Business energy agreements do not receive the same protections as household contracts.

There is generally no automatic cooling-off period after a company accepts a business energy agreement.

Before choosing EDF or Octopus, check:

• unit rates;
• standing charges;
• contract length;
• start and end dates;
• exit fees;
• fixed and variable cost components;
• pass-through network charges;
• payment method;
• meter requirements;
• electricity-capacity charges;
• Agile’s maximum price;
• time-of-use periods;
• broker commission;
• renewable evidence;
• export-tariff conditions;
• renewal procedure; and
• post-contract rates.

EDF advantages and disadvantages

Octopus advantages and disadvantages

Which supplier is better for different companies?

Business type or requirement	Likely better fit	Reason
Small company wanting a four-year fix	EDF	Fixed terms of up to four years
Business wanting a simple predictable rate	EDF	Conventional fixed SME products
Business with flexible machinery	Octopus	Shape Shifters
EV fleet charging overnight	Octopus	Time-of-use tariffs
Company wanting fleet-depot infrastructure	EDF	Commercial charging service
Seasonal summer business	Octopus	Summer Saver
Low-use meter in bands 2–4	Octopus may suit	No Standing Charge Tariff
Business wanting renewable-only electricity	EDF Fixed Renewable	UK REGO-backed product
Business prioritising supplier-wide fuel mix	Octopus	86.4% renewable and no fossil generation
Company avoiding nuclear-backed electricity	EDF Fixed Renewable	Octopus’s overall mix includes nuclear
Company wanting nuclear-backed zero carbon	EDF	Dedicated zero-carbon option
Large user wanting conventional flexible procurement	EDF	Extensive contract range
Company wanting half-hourly renewable matching	Octopus	Electric Match
Business seeking funded on-site wind	Octopus	Wind Works
Existing EDF solar exporter	EDF	Fixed payment of 15p/kWh
Solar exporter below 150kWp	Compare both	EDF pays more; Octopus offers smart integration
Business with solar and batteries	Octopus	Dynamic import and export
Company wanting turnkey solar installation	EDF	Integrated installation and SEG route
Company with flexible battery assets	Compare both	Octopus tariffs or EDF PowerShift
Large multi-site estate	Compare both	Different strengths in procurement and matching

Final verdict: EDF vs Octopus

EDF and Octopus are both credible business energy suppliers, but they are suited to different operating models.

EDF is likely to be the stronger choice where the company wants:

• a conventional fixed tariff;
• a contract lasting up to four years;
• renewable-only electricity;
• a choice between renewable and nuclear-backed power;
• a sophisticated large-business procurement structure;
• conventional trading support;
• a Corporate PPA;
• a turnkey commercial solar project;
• the higher published fixed export rate; or
• large fleet and infrastructure services.

Octopus is likely to be the stronger option where the business wants:

• time-of-use electricity;
• half-hourly wholesale pricing;
• a seasonal tariff;
• no daily standing charge;
• battery optimisation;
• dynamic exports;
• multi-site renewable allocation;
• granular half-hourly matching;
• funded on-site wind; or
• smart EV charging.

The environmental comparison depends on the measurement used.

Octopus has the substantially greener supplier-wide mix, with 86.4% renewable electricity, 13.6% nuclear and no gas or coal.

EDF’s supplier-wide mix contains more nuclear and fossil generation, but EDF Fixed Renewable gives a small business a clearly defined renewable-only product.

The export comparison currently favours EDF for a qualifying existing electricity customer:

• EDF Export 12M Small Business: 15p/kWh;
• Octopus Panel Power: 12p/kWh.

Octopus may nevertheless provide greater overall value where the business has batteries and can combine low-cost imports with dynamic peak-time exports.

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. equivalent contract duration;
5. the same payment method;
6. all standing charges;
7. capacity and metering costs;
8. equivalent renewable credentials;
9. time-of-use savings based on real data;
10. export revenue;
11. exit fees;
12. renewal and default prices; and
13. the complete projected annual cost.

For most businesses, the conclusion is:

• choose EDF for long fixed contracts, renewable-only electricity, conventional large-user procurement and higher fixed solar-export payments;
• choose Octopus for smart tariffs, flexible demand, batteries, dynamic exports and granular renewable matching;
• compare EDF Fixed Renewable with a specific Octopus environmental product where nuclear exclusion is important;
• compare EDF Export 12M with Octopus Panel Power and Shape Shifters: Export where on-site generation is central; and
• select the supplier producing the lowest realistic total cost after operational flexibility and export income have been included.

FAQ