Contracts and renewals
Will switching business energy disrupt my supply?
Short answer
No. When you switch business energy supplier, your electricity and gas keep coming through the same wires, pipes and meter. Only the company that bills you changes. There’s normally no engineer visit, no new equipment and no downtime.
What actually changes
- The company that sends your bill
- Your account number and payment details
- Your contract terms and rates
What stays the same
- The wires, pipes and meter at your premises
- Your MPAN and MPRN (supply numbers)
- The network company that maintains the connection and deals with power cuts
What you need to do
- Agree a new contract that starts when your current one ends
- Give a meter reading on the switch date if asked
- Pay your old supplier’s final bill, and cancel the old direct debit once it’s settled
What can delay a switch
Your current supplier can object, usually because you’re still in a fixed term or there’s an unpaid balance. A delay keeps you with your current supplier; it doesn’t cut your supply. See why a switch gets blocked.
If a supplier goes bust
Ofgem’s safety net keeps your supply on and appoints a new supplier. You don’t need to do anything to stay connected.
Sources
- Ofgem: What happens if your business energy supplier goes bust (ofgem.gov.uk)
- Citizens Advice: Switching your small business to a new energy supplier (citizensadvice.org.uk)
- Ofgem: Energy advice for businesses (ofgem.gov.uk)
Questions
Will I need a new meter?
Usually not. Your existing meter stays in place and keeps recording your use.
Will my business lose power during the switch?
No. The switch is an administrative change between suppliers. Your supply carries on as normal.
How long does a switch take?
Once a new contract is agreed, the new supplier arranges the transfer for your agreed start date. Timing is usually set to match the end of your current contract.
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