/ Business energy guide
When to renew a business energy contract
The single most expensive thing a business can do with its energy contract is nothing. Letting a fixed term lapse drops you onto rates set by the supplier rather than agreed with you.
Guide reviewed September 2026 · Business-Utility.com
What happens when a fixed term ends
At the end of a fixed contract you either sign a new one, roll onto the supplier's out-of-contract or deemed rates, or transfer to another supplier. Out-of-contract rates carry no negotiated discount and generally sit well above anything you would be quoted for a new term, and the standing charge is usually higher too. Businesses often sit on them for months without realising.
The renewal window
Suppliers will quote for a supply starting in the future, so you do not have to wait until the last weeks of your contract. Locking a price ahead of the start date lets you choose your moment rather than accept whatever the market is doing on the day your term expires.
- 6 months out — check your end date and the notice your contract requires
- 4 to 6 months out — gather 12 months of consumption data and go to market
- 3 months out — compare offers on total annual cost, not headline unit rate
- Before the notice deadline — serve written termination if you are switching
- At switch — take and record a meter reading on the changeover date
Termination notice: the clause that traps businesses
Many business contracts require written notice before the end date, and some allow the supplier to roll you into a further term if none is served. Find the clause, diary the deadline and send the notice by a method you can prove. Serving notice does not oblige you to leave — it simply keeps your options open.
What you need before you can get real prices
Accurate quotes need accurate data. Suppliers price on your actual consumption profile, so a quote based on guesswork will be repriced later.
- MPAN for electricity and MPRN for gas, from a recent bill
- Twelve months of consumption in kWh, ideally with a seasonal breakdown
- Current unit rate, standing charge and contract end date
- For half-hourly sites, the agreed capacity and maximum demand data
- A signed letter of authority if a consultant is gathering this for you
Comparing offers properly
Convert every offer to a total annual cost including standing charges, and check what is fixed. A fully fixed contract holds all charges for the term; a partly fixed one leaves pass-through costs to move against you. Also check the termination terms of the new contract before you sign — that is where the next renewal begins.
Frequently asked questions
- When should I renew a business energy contract?
- Most suppliers will quote for a future start date months ahead of your contract end. Starting the process three to six months out gives you time to compare offers and avoid rolling onto out-of-contract rates.
- What are deemed rates?
- Deemed rates apply when you use energy at a site without an agreed contract — for example after moving in, or after a fixed term ends without a renewal. They are typically much higher than contracted rates.
- Can a business energy contract auto-renew?
- Business contracts can roll over where the terms allow it. Check your contract for the termination notice required and serve it in writing within the stated window.
- Do I need a letter of authority to get quotes?
- A consultant needs a signed letter of authority to obtain your consumption data and contract details from suppliers. It authorises information gathering and negotiation; it does not commit you to a contract.
We track your renewal date so you never roll over
Upload a bill and we record your contract end date, consumption and meter references. We go to market ahead of the window and bring you the offers — free of charge, cancel any time.
Upload a bill and set a renewal reminder