Multiple energy legislations have recently come into place, which may impact businesses. Google searches for “transmission network use of system charges” have increased by 100%, and searches for “energy intensive industries compensation scheme” have risen by 133% over the past year.
Les Roberts, business energy expert at Bionic, comments, “While the energy price cap is set to increase, it doesn’t directly impact businesses and their energy bills.
“However, there are four new UK business energy legislations and schemes covering different aspects of energy costs and support, that could be of use to business owners this autumn and winter, especially those in energy-intensive industries and nuclear infrastructure funding:
Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS)
“MHHS (Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement) will be rolling out from October 2025, replacing estimated electricity consumption with actual half-hourly data to improve billing accuracy and encourage energy efficiency.
“It’s mandatory for businesses with a peak electricity demand of 100kVA or more every half hour, but many lower-demand businesses can opt in for better energy monitoring. You can check if a half-hourly meter is installed by looking for a “00” in the top corner next to the S on your meter.
“Meter profile classes 5 to 8 (05, 06, 07, 08) for businesses and other non-domestic energy users in the UK, will aslo have their electricity use recorded and settled every half hour.”
Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS)
“TNUoS charges cover the cost of maintaining and operating the high-voltage electricity grid in Great Britain.
From April 2026, those charges are expected to rise. Businesses with high grid usage, such as data centres, manufacturers and transport hubs, should review consumption patterns and explore strategies to manage exposure to any potential increase in charges.
Nuclear Regulated Asset Base (RAB) Change Levy
“This levy funds new nuclear projects, including Sizewell C, and will appear as an additional non-commodity charge on electricity bills.
“From November 2025, it will appear as an additional non-commodity charge on electricity bills, fixed at £3.455/MWh (equivalent to 0.3455p/kWh) for the initial period.
“Businesses can avoid the new levy by checking their eligibility under the Energy Intensive Industries exemption scheme and securing a valid certificate to present to their supplier; otherwise, the levy will appear as an additional charge on electricity bills.”
Energy Intensive Industry (EII) Support Levy (ESL)
“Introduced in April 2025, the ESL is a charge on electricity suppliers to fund compensation for Energy Intensive Industries facing high energy costs.
“It supports sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals by offsetting parts of their network charges (DUoS, TNUoS, BSUoS) via the Network Charging Compensation (NCC) scheme.
“Businesses in approved manufacturing sectors (like steel, cement, chemicals) whose electricity use exceeds 20% of their gross value added can apply for certificates from suppliers to receive a 60% discount on eligible charges.
“Other businesses, which do not qualify, will see the levy reflected in their electricity costs and should factor it into energy budgets while exploring any available reliefs.”
