Multi-site business energy contracts: one supplier, one bill or separate tariffs?

A multi-site business energy contract allows an organisation to purchase gas or electricity for several premises through one coordinated arrangement.

It can give the business one supplier, a common contract end date, centralised account management and potentially one consolidated invoice. However, these features are not automatic, and they do not necessarily produce the lowest overall cost.

A company can use one supplier while retaining different prices, invoices and contract schedules for every site. Alternatively, it can appoint several suppliers and select the cheapest available tariff for each individual meter.

The right structure depends on:

• The number of premises.
• Electricity and gas consumption at each site.
• Meter types.
• Contract end dates.
• Regional network charges.
• Differences between operating hours.
• How frequently sites open or close.
• The importance of consolidated billing.
• The organisation’s ability to administer several suppliers.
• The contract and credit terms offered.

The safest approach is to compare the portfolio in several ways rather than assuming one supplier or separate suppliers will always be cheaper.

If your organisation operates from more than one property, compare prices for business energy tariffs using a complete schedule of every electricity and gas supply.

Important: Prices and calculations in this guide are illustrative. Multi-site energy quotations are normally prepared specifically for the organisation, its meters and its expected consumption.

Multi-site business energy contracts: the quick answer

A single-supplier multi-site contract is likely to suit a business that prioritises:

• One main point of contact.
• Coordinated contract dates.
• Centralised reporting.
• Consolidated billing.
• Consistent contract terms.
• Easier addition and removal of premises.
• Portfolio-wide renewable electricity.
• Reduced administrative work.

Separate site tariffs may be more suitable when:

• Premises have very different consumption profiles.
• Some sites have half-hourly meters and others do not.
• Different suppliers are cheapest in different regions.
• Gas and electricity prices vary significantly between suppliers.
• Some premises require specialist tariffs.
• Sites are owned or occupied by different legal entities.
• Properties are regularly acquired, sold or vacated.
• The potential price saving exceeds the extra administration.

The most effective compromise is often one coordinated procurement exercise with site-specific prices and consolidated reporting.

What is a multi-site business energy contract?

A multi-site business energy contract covers two or more commercial energy supply points belonging to the same organisation or corporate group.

Each electricity supply continues to have its own Meter Point Administration Number, or MPAN. Each gas supply retains its own Meter Point Reference Number, or MPRN.

The supplier may place these supply points under:

• One master agreement.
• A portfolio contract with separate site schedules.
• Several related contracts.
• A common account hierarchy.
• Separate agreements with coordinated end dates.

The precise legal structure depends on the supplier and customer.

A multi-site arrangement can cover:

• Electricity only.
• Gas only.
• Electricity and gas.
• Half-hourly electricity meters.
• Non-half-hourly or smart meters.
• A mixture of meter types.
• Premises in several electricity distribution regions.
• Offices, shops, warehouses, factories and other property types.

Not every supplier will accept every meter or site. A mixed portfolio may therefore need to be divided into different procurement groups.

One supplier does not always mean one bill

Several decisions that appear to be connected are actually separate.

Feature	What it means
One supplier	The same energy company supplies all included sites
One agreement	Sites are covered by one master or portfolio contract
One end date	All included supplies expire on the same date
One unit rate	The same price applies across eligible sites
One invoice	All sites appear on one consolidated bill
One payment	The customer makes one combined payment
One portal	Every site can be viewed through the same online system
One account manager	One contact manages the portfolio
One renewable specification	The same environmental product applies across the portfolio

A supplier could provide one portal and one account manager while issuing separate invoices and charging different prices at every premises.

Equally, a consolidated bill may include supplies with different:

• Unit rates.
• Standing charges.
• contract start dates.
• Meter types.
• VAT treatments.
• Climate Change Levy treatments.
• Network charges.
• Consumption periods.

Ask the supplier to confirm each feature instead of relying on the phrase “multi-site contract”.

How consolidated energy billing works

Consolidated billing combines charges for several premises into one invoice or billing file.

The document normally contains:

1. A portfolio-level summary.
2. The total amount payable.
3. A breakdown for each site.
4. Charges for each MPAN or MPRN.
5. Consumption and meter readings.
6. Unit rates and standing charges.
7. VAT and Climate Change Levy.
8. Credits, adjustments and previous balances.

The customer may receive the invoice as:

• A PDF.
• A spreadsheet.
• A CSV file.
• An EDI file.
• An upload into its accounting or procurement system.
• A summary invoice with separate site schedules.

Consolidated billing can significantly reduce processing work, especially where an organisation would otherwise receive dozens or hundreds of invoices each month.

However, the format must retain enough site-level information to validate the charges.

What should a consolidated invoice show?

A useful consolidated invoice should allow the accounts or energy team to identify:

• Site name.
• Supply address.
• Internal cost centre.
• MPAN or MPRN.
• Meter serial number.
• Billing period.
• Opening and closing readings.
• Actual or estimated reading status.
• Electricity or gas consumption.
• Unit rate.
• Standing charge.
• Metering and data charges.
• Capacity charges.
• Pass-through charges.
• Climate Change Levy.
• VAT rate.
• Adjustments and credits.
• Amount due for that site.

A single total without this breakdown may save invoice-processing time but make errors considerably harder to find.

Read our business energy bill guide for an explanation of the charges and identifiers that should be checked.

One consolidated bill or separate invoices?

Consideration	Consolidated bill	Separate site invoices
Number of documents	Usually one main invoice	One or more invoices per site
Payment processing	Simpler	More transactions to process
Site-level visibility	Depends on invoice design	Usually clear
Cost-centre allocation	Requires accurate coding	Naturally separated
Error identification	Can be difficult on a long invoice	Easier to isolate
Portfolio reporting	Generally easier	Requires data consolidation
Disputed charges	May affect a larger invoice	Can be isolated to one site
Landlord or tenant recharging	Requires detailed site data	Often easier to allocate
Accounting integration	Strong if EDI or CSV is available	More manual processing
Site managers receiving bills	May require internal distribution	Can be sent directly

The right choice depends on the organisation’s accounting processes.

A company with centralised finance may prefer one invoice. A franchise, property group or organisation with independent regional budgets may need separate invoices sent to each cost centre.

Is a multi-site contract cheaper?

It can be, but there is no guarantee.

Combining several sites may:

• Give the supplier a larger total volume.
• Improve access to larger-business products.
• Strengthen the organisation’s negotiating position.
• Reduce supplier administration.
• Allow contract dates to be coordinated.
• Make flexible purchasing viable for a larger portfolio.
• Reduce internal processing costs.

However, portfolio pricing can also be more expensive if:

• One common unit rate is not competitive for every site.
• A high-risk site affects the credit assessment.
• The supplier cannot price a specialist meter competitively.
• Higher standing charges apply to low-consumption premises.
• Regional cost differences are averaged into one rate.
• An expensive meter or site is included in the package.
• Broker commission is applied across the entire portfolio.
• The business values convenience without comparing alternatives.

The only reliable test is to calculate the total annual cost under each available structure.

Why prices vary between business sites

Two premises owned by the same company can receive different energy quotations.

Factors include:

• Annual electricity or gas consumption.
• Operating hours.
• Day and night usage.
• Maximum demand.
• Agreed electricity capacity.
• Meter type.
• Electricity distribution region.
• Gas network and meter characteristics.
• Contract start date.
• Contract length.
• Credit risk.
• Payment method.
• Fixed or pass-through charges.
• Renewable electricity requirements.
• Wholesale prices when the quotation is prepared.

Regional network costs are one reason identical premises can receive different prices. ScottishPower’s business guidance confirms that business electricity prices can vary by region because local network costs differ.

A uniform multi-site rate may make budgeting easier, but it does not mean the underlying cost of supplying every premises is identical.

Uniform rates or site-specific rates?

A supplier may offer either one portfolio rate or individual site prices.

Uniform portfolio rate

The same unit price applies to eligible sites.

This can provide:

• Simple budgeting.
• Easy site comparisons.
• Consistent internal recharging.
• Fewer disputes about regional price differences.
• A straightforward portfolio forecast.

Yü Energy, for example, currently advertises a Multi-Site Fix electricity plan with the same rate across eligible non-half-hourly sites.

This does not mean every supplier provides uniform prices or that a common rate will be cheapest.

Site-specific rates

Each supply point receives a price reflecting its individual characteristics.

This can produce a lower total cost where:

• Sites are spread across several regions.
• Consumption levels differ substantially.
• Some premises use electricity overnight.
• Meter types vary.
• A few sites have high standing charges.
• Some supplies are half-hourly.
• Different contract start dates apply.

The invoices and rates are more complicated, but the portfolio may be priced more accurately.

Worked example: one supplier or separate tariffs

Consider a business with four electricity supplies using a combined 240,000 kWh per year.

It receives two options.

Option one: consolidated portfolio contract

• Unit rate: 24.2p/kWh at every site.
• Standing charge: £1 per site per day.
• One supplier.
• One consolidated invoice.
• One contract end date.

The annual cost is:

• Electricity: 240,000 kWh × £0.242 = £58,080
• Standing charges: 4 × £1 × 365 = £1,460
• Total: £59,540

Option two: separate site tariffs

Site	Annual use	Unit rate	Standing charge	Annual cost
Site one	10,000 kWh	25.0p/kWh	35p/day	£2,627.75
Site two	30,000 kWh	23.5p/kWh	140p/day	£7,561.00
Site three	80,000 kWh	23.8p/kWh	80p/day	£19,332.00
Site four	120,000 kWh	23.3p/kWh	160p/day	£28,544.00
Total	240,000 kWh			£58,064.75

The separate tariffs cost approximately £1,475 less per year on the energy charges.

However, this is not necessarily the end of the comparison.

If managing the separate arrangements creates five additional hours of administrative work each month at an internal cost of £30 per hour:

• Additional annual administration: 5 × £30 × 12 = £1,800
• Separate tariffs including additional administration: £59,864.75
• Consolidated contract: £59,540

After accounting for the illustrative administrative cost, the consolidated arrangement is approximately £325 cheaper overall.

The correct decision depends on both energy expenditure and the cost of managing the contracts.

The example assumes every supply is eligible for both options. It excludes VAT, Climate Change Levy, broker commission, capacity costs, metering charges and pass-through adjustments.

Calculate the portfolio’s effective unit cost

A simple average of the quoted unit rates can be misleading.

The useful calculation is:

Total annual portfolio cost ÷ total annual consumption

For the consolidated example:

£59,540 ÷ 240,000 kWh = 24.81p/kWh

This effective figure includes standing charges but not taxes or other possible costs.

For the separate-tariff example:

£58,064.75 ÷ 240,000 kWh = 24.19p/kWh

The weighted calculation gives greater importance to the prices charged at high-consumption sites.

A 2p/kWh saving at a premises using 120,000 kWh is worth £2,400 per year. The same saving at a small branch using 5,000 kWh is worth only £100.

One supplier or several suppliers?

Advantages of one supplier

Using one supplier can provide:

• One account-management relationship.
• A common customer-service process.
• Centralised access to invoices and data.
• Coordinated contract renewals.
• Consistent payment terms.
• Easier carbon and consumption reporting.
• Simpler addition of new sites.
• A common renewable electricity specification.
• Reduced procurement and administration time.

Some supplier portals also allow balances, invoices and consumption to be viewed by site. For example, the My Drax Energy portal provides portfolio and individual-site balance information, invoice access and downloadable consumption data.

Disadvantages of one supplier

Potential disadvantages include:

• The supplier may not be cheapest for every site.
• Service problems can affect the whole portfolio.
• One billing error can create a large disputed balance.
• Specialist meters may receive less competitive rates.
• The organisation becomes dependent on one supplier’s portal and reporting.
• A difficult site can delay portfolio onboarding.
• Poor terms may be applied across every premises.
• The business may have fewer opportunities to stagger market purchases.

Advantages of several suppliers

Separate suppliers can allow the organisation to:

• Choose the lowest total cost for each meter.
• Match suppliers to specialist site requirements.
• Separate gas and electricity procurement.
• Isolate billing or service failures.
• Stagger renewal dates.
• Test supplier performance before awarding more sites.
• Select different renewable products.
• Keep newly acquired or temporary sites flexible.

Disadvantages of several suppliers

The organisation must manage:

• Several account managers.
• Multiple portals and login details.
• Different invoice formats.
• More Direct Debits.
• Different renewal dates.
• Several notice requirements.
• Inconsistent consumption data.
• Multiple complaints procedures.
• Separate broker authorities.
• A greater risk of missing a contract expiry.

The financial saving must justify this additional complexity.

Comparison of the main multi-site structures

Structure	Pricing	Billing	Best suited to
One supplier and one uniform rate	Same eligible rate across sites	Consolidated or separate	Similar non-half-hourly premises
One supplier with site-specific rates	Individual price per meter	Usually consolidated or grouped	Diverse portfolios wanting central management
One supplier with separate contracts	Different prices and dates	Separate or grouped	Sites joining at different times
Several suppliers	Best available site or fuel price	Separate	Businesses prioritising lowest quoted cost
Portfolio framework	Sites added under agreed processes	Customisable	Growing or frequently changing portfolios
Flexible purchasing arrangement	Energy bought in tranches	Usually centralised	Large organisations with procurement expertise
Fixed contract with pass-through costs	Commodity price fixed; other costs vary	Site-level breakdown needed	Larger portfolios accepting cost movement

Electricity and gas do not need one supplier

Gas and electricity are separate supplies.

Ofgem’s business contract guidance explains that businesses will usually have a contract for each type of energy they use.

A company can therefore arrange:

• One electricity supplier for every site.
• A different gas supplier for every site.
• One electricity supplier and one portfolio gas supplier.
• Several electricity suppliers.
• Several gas suppliers.
• One provider for selected sites and another for the remainder.

Using the same supplier for both fuels may simplify administration, but it is not automatically cheaper.

Read our guide explaining whether a business can use separate gas and electricity suppliers.

Can contract end dates be aligned?

Yes, but existing agreements must be respected.

Business energy contracts can last for up to five years, and Ofgem says most suppliers will not allow a business to switch before the existing contract ends.

If different premises have different expiry dates, the organisation may need to:

• Move sites into the portfolio as each contract expires.
• Arrange future-dated contracts.
• Use different initial contract lengths.
• Negotiate coterminous end dates.
• Keep some sites outside the portfolio temporarily.
• Use a short bridging arrangement where suitable.
• Conduct the procurement in several phases.

For example:

Site	Current end date	Possible approach
Site one	September 2026	Transfer first
Site two	January 2027	Future-date or add later
Site three	June 2027	Remain with existing supplier temporarily
Site four	New acquisition	Add under agreed new-site terms
Site five	Planned closure	Keep separate or use a flexible arrangement

Do not deliberately leave a site on expensive out-of-contract rates for months simply to achieve a common end date. Compare the cost of a temporary arrangement with the value of alignment.

Read our guides to business energy contract renewal and choosing a contract length.

What is a coterminous energy contract?

Coterminous contracts have the same expiry date.

A supplier may achieve this by giving different sites different initial terms.

For example:

• Site one receives a 36-month contract.
• Site two receives a 30-month contract.
• Site three receives an 18-month contract.
• All three expire on 30 September 2029.

After the initial alignment, the portfolio can potentially be procured together at each renewal.

Check whether the shorter contracts receive:

• The same unit rate.
• A different risk premium.
• Different standing charges.
• Separate termination provisions.
• The same broker commission.
• The same renewable specification.

A common expiry date is useful, but it should not be purchased at any price.

Adding new business sites

A growing company should establish how future premises will enter the arrangement.

The contract should explain:

• Whether new sites can be added.
• Which meter types are eligible.
• Whether the supplier must accept them.
• How the new price will be calculated.
• Whether the current portfolio rate will apply.
• Whether the new site receives a separate end date.
• Whether its contract will expire with the wider portfolio.
• What happens if its existing supplier objects to the transfer.
• Whether a credit assessment is required.
• How the site appears on invoices and reports.

Do not assume a new site will receive the original portfolio rate. The supplier may quote prevailing market prices when the premises is added.

When taking possession of a commercial property, notify the existing supplier immediately and provide:

• The legal occupier’s details.
• The occupancy date.
• An opening meter reading.
• The lease or other occupancy evidence.
• The MPAN or MPRN.
• The meter serial number.
• Forwarding details for the previous occupier where known.

Until a negotiated contract is arranged, the premises may be charged under a deemed contract. Read our guide to setting up a new business energy supply and our explanation of business deemed contracts.

Removing sold, closed or vacated sites

A portfolio contract should also explain how sites can be removed.

Potential circumstances include:

• Lease expiry.
• Property sale.
• Business closure.
• Assignment to a new tenant.
• Demolition.
• Meter removal.
• Permanent disconnection.
• Transfer to another group company.

Leaving a premises does not necessarily cancel the whole portfolio contract.

The supplier may require:

• A final meter reading.
• Evidence of the change of tenancy.
• The new occupier’s details.
• A completion statement or lease document.
• Notice within a specified period.
• A final invoice.
• Payment of outstanding charges.
• Compensation where the contract does not include a suitable removal provision.

Do not assume a site can be removed without cost merely because the organisation has stopped trading there. Check the contract before signing a new lease, selling a property or restructuring the company.

Different legal entities within one group

A portfolio may contain sites occupied by several subsidiaries, partnerships, charities, franchisees or special-purpose companies.

The supplier may require:

• Separate contracts for each legal entity.
• Individual credit checks.
• A parent-company guarantee.
• Separate Direct Debits.
• A group billing agreement.
• Evidence that one entity is authorised to act for another.
• Separate letters of authority.
• Different VAT invoices.

Before requesting quotations, identify the party legally responsible for each supply.

The company named on the contract should normally match the organisation occupying the premises and responsible for the bill. Using an incorrect group company can cause onboarding, payment, tax and change-of-tenancy problems.

Landlords, tenants and managed properties

Responsibility for the energy contract depends on the metering and lease arrangement.

Possible structures include:

• The tenant contracts directly with a supplier.
• The landlord holds the main supply contract.
• The managing agent administers the landlord’s account.
• The landlord recharges tenants using submeter data.
• Common areas have a separate landlord supply.
• One fiscal meter supplies several occupied units.

A landlord should not include tenant-controlled meters in its portfolio without confirming who is legally responsible for those supplies.

Where energy is recharged, the organisation also needs:

• Accurate submeters.
• A clear lease or service-charge provision.
• A defensible allocation method.
• Site-level tax information.
• Records supporting the amount charged.

A consolidated supplier invoice may help administration, but it does not replace accurate tenant-level allocation.

VAT and CCL across multiple premises

A single consolidated invoice does not mean every site receives the same tax treatment.

Most commercial fuel and power is subject to 20% VAT, but qualifying use and low consumption can produce different treatment.

HMRC’s Fuel and power VAT Notice 701/19 states that:

• Electricity supplied at no more than an average of 33 kWh per day, or 1,000 kWh per month, can qualify for reduced-rate VAT.
• Piped gas supplied at no more than an average of 145 kWh per day, or 4,397 kWh per month, can qualify.
• Qualifying domestic or charity non-business use may also receive reduced-rate treatment.
• A separate certificate is required for each supply to separate premises where a declaration is needed.

One low-consumption branch could therefore receive different VAT and Climate Change Levy treatment from the organisation’s head office.

The supplier should retain site-level tax calculations even when producing one portfolio invoice.

Half-hourly and non-half-hourly sites

A multi-site electricity portfolio may contain a mixture of:

• Traditional non-half-hourly meters.
• Smart meters.
• Advanced meters.
• Whole-current half-hourly meters.
• Current-transformer meters.
• Legacy half-hourly supplies.
• Multi-rate meters.
• Unmetered supplies.

These meters may require different:

• Pricing methods.
• Data services.
• Meter Operator arrangements.
• Capacity charges.
• Contract products.
• Billing formats.
• Onboarding processes.

A supplier offering an attractive tariff for small non-half-hourly shops may not be the strongest choice for a factory with a high-capacity half-hourly supply.

Consider separating the portfolio into procurement lots such as:

1. Small non-half-hourly electricity.
2. Half-hourly electricity.
3. Gas.
4. Unmetered supplies.
5. Renewable export.
6. Temporary or development sites.

The organisation can still appoint one supplier across several lots if its combined offer is competitive.

How MHHS affects multi-site portfolios

Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement is moving Great Britain’s electricity meters onto new settlement arrangements.

Migration occurs by MPAN rather than by company. Different sites within one portfolio can therefore migrate at different times.

This does not automatically change:

• The signed retail contract.
• The unit rate.
• The contract end date.
• The billing frequency.
• The MPAN core.
• The supplier.
• The organisation’s right to receive consolidated invoices.

It can, however, affect meter data, industry terminology, supplier processes and the way future contracts are priced.

Keep an up-to-date meter schedule and check invoices before and after each migration. Our MHHS guide for businesses explains the current timetable and billing implications.

Metering and data-service contracts

Some half-hourly sites have separate contracts covering:

• Meter operation.
• Data collection.
• Data aggregation.
• Communications.
• Meter asset rental.

Moving the energy supply to one provider does not necessarily cancel these agreements.

Before consolidating a portfolio, record:

• The MOP provider for each MPAN.
• Contract start and end dates.
• Notice requirements.
• Annual charges.
• Automatic renewal terms.
• Data ownership and access.
• Whether the new supplier will appoint its own agents.
• Whether duplicate charges could arise.

Read our detailed guide to MOP, Data Collector and Aggregator contracts.

Fixed, part-fixed or flexible portfolio contracts

Fully fixed contract

A fully fixed arrangement aims to provide predictable unit rates and standing charges.

Check the contract carefully because “fixed” may not cover every network, policy, metering or regulatory charge.

Part-fixed contract

The commodity element may be fixed while selected non-energy charges are passed through at their actual cost.

This can provide transparency but creates budget uncertainty.

Flexible purchasing contract

A large organisation can purchase energy in several tranches instead of fixing the entire forecast at one moment.

For example, it might:

• Purchase 25% of forecast volume at four different times.
• Fix seasonal or annual blocks.
• Leave some volume exposed to market prices.
• use an agreed risk-management strategy.

Flexible purchasing can reduce reliance on one market date, but it requires:

• Clear authority to make purchasing decisions.
• Volume forecasts.
• Trading controls.
• Regular reporting.
• An agreed risk policy.
• Specialist expertise.
• Acceptance that prices can rise as well as fall.

Npower Business Solutions currently describes MultiPurchase as a fixed-term product allowing energy prices to be fixed at several points during the contract.

Flexible purchasing is generally more relevant to larger portfolios than small chains with modest consumption.

Renewable electricity across several sites

A multi-site organisation may want every premises to use the same renewable electricity product.

Potential advantages include:

• Consistent environmental claims.
• Easier carbon reporting.
• One set of REGO documentation.
• Simpler sustainability procurement.
• A common policy for landlords, customers and investors.

Check:

• Whether every MPAN is included.
• The percentage described as renewable.
• The source of the electricity.
• How REGOs are retired.
• Whether certificates are allocated to the customer.
• Whether the product covers the correct reporting period.
• Whether newly added sites are included automatically.
• Whether export arrangements remain separate.
• The premium compared with a standard tariff.

Read our guide to green business energy suppliers and tariffs.

Broker commission on multi-site contracts

A small uplift in pence per kWh can become a substantial commission when applied to a large portfolio.

For example:

• Portfolio consumption: 2,000,000 kWh per year.
• Broker uplift: 0.8p/kWh.
• Contract term: three years.
• Indicative commission: 2,000,000 × £0.008 × 3.
• Total: £48,000.

This is not necessarily excessive if the broker provides valuable procurement, validation and account-management services. However, the amount should be understood before the contract is accepted.

Ofgem’s non-domestic market reforms expanded the requirement for principal terms to display broker fees to all non-domestic customers for contracts signed from 1 October 2024. Suppliers must also make this information available upon request.

For a multi-site proposal, ask:

• What is the total expected commission?
• Is it charged per kWh or as a fixed fee?
• Does it apply to standing charges?
• Does it apply to every site?
• Is it based on forecast or actual consumption?
• What happens when sites are added or removed?
• Is commission payable on a contract extension?
• Which ongoing services are included?
• Can the business use a direct-fee arrangement instead?

A letter of authority should also state what the broker can do for the organisation. Do not provide authority wider than necessary.

Information needed for multi-site quotations

Create a complete meter schedule before approaching suppliers.

Recommended fields include:

Information	Why it is needed
Internal site name	Identifies the premises
Supply address	Confirms location and region
Legal occupier	Identifies the contracting party
Cost centre	Supports billing allocation
MPAN	Identifies each electricity supply
MPRN	Identifies each gas supply
Meter serial number	Checks the physical meter
Current supplier	Supports transfer planning
Annual consumption	Used to price the contract
Half-hourly data	Shows the electricity load profile
Current unit rate	Provides a comparison benchmark
Standing charge	Supports total-cost comparison
Contract end date	Determines switching date
Notice requirement	Helps prevent rollover
Meter type	Determines eligible products
Agreed capacity	Identifies possible capacity charges
VAT and CCL status	Supports correct tax treatment
MOP or data contract	Identifies separate obligations
Planned site change	Improves the consumption forecast

You can normally find the MPAN and MPRN on recent bills. See our guides to finding an MPAN and checking a business energy bill.

How to compare multi-site energy quotations

1. Validate every supply point

Check that the schedule does not contain:

• Closed sites.
• Duplicate meters.
• Previous occupiers’ supplies.
• Landlord meters.
• Tenant-controlled meters.
• Removed equipment.
• Incorrect addresses.
• Unrecognised MPANs or MPRNs.

2. Confirm every contract end date

Do not rely on one portfolio-level date unless the supplier confirms it applies to every listed supply.

3. Obtain several pricing structures

Request:

• One-supplier portfolio pricing.
• One supplier with site-specific rates.
• Uniform-rate pricing where available.
• Separate site quotations.
• Separate gas and electricity options.
• Fully fixed and pass-through alternatives where appropriate.

4. Calculate complete annual costs

For every site, include:

• Unit charges.
• Standing charges.
• Capacity charges.
• Metering and data costs.
• Pass-through charges.
• Broker commission.
• VAT and Climate Change Levy.
• Administration costs.

5. Compare service and reporting

Evaluate:

• Consolidated invoices.
• Site-level breakdowns.
• Portal functionality.
• Data downloads.
• Cost-centre coding.
• EDI compatibility.
• Account-management support.
• Complaint handling.
• Addition and removal of sites.

6. Review the contract terms

Check:

• Contract duration.
• Start and end dates.
• Fixed and variable charges.
• Volume tolerance.
• New-site provisions.
• Site-removal provisions.
• Change-of-tenancy rules.
• Credit-security requirements.
• Payment terms.
• Termination provisions.
• Broker commission.

7. Check the final contract schedule

Before agreeing, reconcile the contract against the original meter list.

One incorrect digit in an MPAN or MPRN can result in:

• The wrong site being contracted.
• A failed switch.
• Duplicate supplier registrations.
• Out-of-contract charges.
• Billing disputes.
• Delayed onboarding.

Questions to ask a multi-site supplier

Ask the supplier or broker:

• Will every site use the same contract?
• Are the rates uniform or site-specific?
• Will we receive one invoice?
• Does the invoice include site-level detail?
• Can invoices include our cost-centre codes?
• Can data be supplied by CSV or EDI?
• Will every contract end together?
• How are future sites priced?
• Can closed sites be removed?
• Are half-hourly meters included?
• Are metering charges included?
• Which costs are passed through?
• What broker commission is included?
• Are gas and electricity contracted separately?
• Will every site use one Direct Debit?
• Can balances be viewed by site?
• How are disputed charges handled?
• What credit security is required?
• Can renewable evidence be supplied by site?
• Who will manage the portfolio after signing?

Common multi-site procurement mistakes

Assuming consolidation guarantees savings

A larger portfolio may receive competitive prices, but it can also inherit an averaged rate that is expensive for some sites.

Comparing simple average rates

Use consumption-weighted annual costs. High-consumption premises have a much greater effect on the result.

Missing small sites

One forgotten meter can remain on expensive deemed or out-of-contract rates.

Ignoring standing charges

Low-usage sites may spend more on daily charges than on electricity or gas consumption.

Combining incompatible meters

A supplier may price ordinary meters well but offer poor terms for half-hourly, multi-rate or high-capacity supplies.

Forcing one end date

Paying out-of-contract rates while waiting for alignment can cost more than the administrative benefit.

Assuming one supplier means one invoice

Consolidated billing must be specifically requested and confirmed.

Losing site-level data

A portfolio total is insufficient for checking bills, recharging tenants or identifying inefficient premises.

Applying one tax status everywhere

VAT and Climate Change Levy treatment may differ between sites.

Ignoring legal entities

Subsidiaries and franchisees may require separate contracts or guarantees.

Overlooking MOP agreements

Changing electricity supplier does not automatically end separate metering and data contracts.

Failing to plan property changes

The contract should address acquisitions, disposals, relocations and closures.

Accepting undisclosed commission

A modest per-kWh uplift can become a large cost across several sites and years.

Which structure suits your organisation?

Organisation	Likely starting point
Two similar shops	Compare one portfolio supplier with separate site quotes
National retail chain	Portfolio contract with consolidated billing and site-level data
Property group	Site-specific contracts with strong addition and removal provisions
Manufacturer with several factories	Half-hourly portfolio tender or flexible procurement
Charity with mixed-use premises	Consolidated management with site-specific tax treatment
Franchise network	Separate legal contracts with coordinated procurement
Hotel group	One supplier with site-specific rates and consumption reporting
Construction company	Flexible arrangements for temporary and changing sites
Business with frequent acquisitions	Framework allowing staged additions
Mixed office and industrial portfolio	Separate procurement lots under central management
Organisation spanning Britain and Northern Ireland	Separate market arrangements may be required

Frequently asked questions

Final verdict

A multi-site business energy contract can reduce administration, coordinate renewals and provide much better oversight of an organisation’s total consumption.

However, one supplier, one agreement, one rate and one invoice are not the same thing.

Before choosing a structure, compare at least three scenarios:

1. One supplier with site-specific pricing.
2. One supplier with uniform rates and consolidated billing.
3. The best available tariff for each individual site and fuel.

Calculate the complete portfolio cost, including standing charges, metering, capacity costs, pass-through charges, broker commission and internal administration.

For a group of similar premises, a common supplier and consolidated invoice may provide the best balance of price and simplicity. For a diverse portfolio, site-specific rates or separate procurement lots may produce a better result.

Compare prices for business energy tariffs using your full meter portfolio to find out whether one supplier or separate site contracts offer the lower overall cost.