Micro Business Electricity
Get access to our panel of over 20 business electricity suppliers and let our energy experts find a competitive rate for your micro business.
Micro business electricity quotes from these suppliers
What is classed as a micro business?
Ofgem uses a set definition to decide whether a business counts as a micro business for energy. You only need to meet one of these criteria to qualify:
- Uses less than 100,000 kWh of electricity a year
- Uses less than 293,000 kWh of gas a year
- Has fewer than 10 employees (or full time equivalent) and an annual turnover or balance sheet of no more than €2 million
This covers a wide range of businesses, from sole traders and small shops to cafés, salons and offices. Many businesses qualify on usage alone, even if they employ more than 10 people.
Suppliers usually look at usage for each fuel separately, so you could count as a micro business for your electricity but not your gas, or the other way round. If you meet the employee and turnover test, you’ll count as a micro business for both.
Being classed as a micro business matters because it gives you extra protections under Ofgem rules, including clearer contract information and fairer renewal terms. If you’re unsure whether your business qualifies, our energy experts can help you compare business energy and check if your business qualifies when preparing your quotes.
How to compare micro business electricity quotes
Getting quotes for your micro business takes just a few minutes. Our energy experts take care of the details, so you can focus on running your business.
Share your details
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Fill in our form with a few details about your business. We may ask you to sign a letter of authority so we can speak to your current supplier for you.
Review your quotes
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We gather quotes from our panel of 20+ business energy suppliers and talk you through the unit rates, standing charges and contract terms side by side.
Choose your contract
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Once you've picked the right contract, we handle the paperwork with your new supplier and keep you updated until your new rates begin.
What protections do micro businesses have?
Ofgem sets out clear rules that suppliers, and the brokers they work with must follow when working with micro businesses. Knowing what you’re entitled to before, during and after you agree a contract helps you make confident decisions and gives you a clear route if something goes wrong.
Here’s a summary of the additional protections for micro business electricity customers:
Clear contract terms
Before you agree a contract, the key terms must be clearly explained to you, including your prices, contract length and any fees. If you agree to a contract over the phone, simply being pointed to the terms isn’t enough; they must be talked through with you. You should then receive the full terms and conditions in writing.
There’s no cooling-off period on business energy contracts, so once you’ve agreed, you’re usually committed for the full term. Take your time, ask questions and make sure you’re happy with every detail before you say yes.
Broker fees shown up front
Any fees paid to a broker must be shown in your contract terms, so you can see what you’re paying for their service before you agree. This rule started as a micro business protection and now applies to all business energy customers, whatever their size.
Most brokers are paid through a small amount built into your unit rate or standing charge, rather than a separate invoice.
Renewals and rollovers
If you’re on a fixed energy contract, your supplier must tell you your renewal prices before your contract ends. This usually comes as a renewal letter around 60 days before your end date, showing your current prices, the prices you’d pay if you renew, and what happens if you take no action.
If you don’t act, your supply will move onto out-of-contract rates or a rollover contract lasting no more than 12 months. Either way, you’ll usually pay much more than you would on a new contract, so keeping a note of your end date and acting when your renewal letter arrives helps you avoid this.
No notice needed to leave
Your supplier can’t make you give notice that you plan to leave at the end of a fixed-term contract. As long as a new contract is agreed before your end date, you’re free to move.
The exception is evergreen rolling micro business electricity contracts that can require a maximum of 30 days’ termination notice.
Help if things go wrong
If you have a problem with your supplier, raise a complaint with them first. If it isn’t resolved within eight weeks, or they tell you in writing that they can’t resolve it, you can take it to the Energy Ombudsman free of charge.
Suppliers can only work with brokers who belong to an approved dispute resolution scheme, so you also have a route to raise a complaint about a broker if you need to.
What to look for when comparing micro business electricity
The lowest unit rate isn’t always the lowest cost for a smaller business. Our experts look at these three areas with you when reviewing your quotes.
Total cost
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With lower usage, your standing charge makes up a bigger share of your bill. Looking at both the unit rate and daily charge together shows what you'll really pay.
Contract length
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Longer contracts give you price certainty for more years, while shorter terms keep your options open. The right length depends on your plans for the business.
Renewable options
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Many suppliers offer 100% renewable electricity tariffs. If running on green power matters to you, it's worth requesting this in your quotes.
Are business electricity quotes different for micro businesses?
Being a micro business doesn’t give you a separate price, but it does change a few things about how your quotes work. Here’s what’s different compared with larger businesses.
Standard price lists
Suppliers usually price smaller businesses using standard price lists based on your usage, postcode, meter type and contract length. Larger businesses are more likely to receive bespoke pricing built around their usage pattern.
Standing charges matter more
With lower usage, your daily standing charge makes up a bigger share of your total bill. Two quotes with similar unit rates can work out quite differently over a year once the standing charge is included, which is why it’s important to look at the full cost alongside current business electricity prices.
Lower VAT and no CCL
If your business uses no more than 33 kWh of electricity a day on average, around 1,000 kWh a month, you qualify for a reduced rate of VAT instead of the standard 20%. This is normally 5%, but from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 it has been cut to 0% for electricity in England, Scotland and Wales.
Qualifying for the reduced rate also means the Climate Change Levy isn’t charged on your supply.
No price cap
The Ofgem price cap only applies to household energy, so micro business electricity prices aren’t capped. Your rates are set by your contract, which is why agreeing a new contract before your current one ends matters so much.
Why compare micro business electricity with Consultiv?
We compare business electricty prices from more than 20 trusted suppliers to find the right contract for your micro business. Finding the right contract is just the start. Here are three more reasons businesses choose Consultiv Utilities.
Expert-led
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Our energy experts review your usage and current contract, then explain your options in plain terms before you agree to anything.
Proven experience
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We have secured business energy contracts for more than 5,900 clients across over 22,800 meter points, so you’re in experienced hands.
Ongoing support
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We handle the paperwork with your new supplier and track your renewal date, so you don't end up on expensive out-of-contract rates.
Help for micro businesses electricity
If you need advice about your electricity contract or a problem with your supplier, there are several free and impartial organisations that can help. Here’s where to turn.
Citizens Advice
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Citizens Advice is the official consumer advocate for energy and offers free, impartial advice on business energy contracts, billing and your rights. Their advisers can also pass a complaint to your energy supplier for you. You can call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 or chat to an adviser online.
Energy Ombudsman
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If you've complained to your supplier or broker and it hasn't been resolved within eight weeks, or you've received a deadlock letter, the Energy Ombudsman can look into it free of charge. Any decision is binding on the supplier but not on you, so you can choose whether to accept it.
Ofgem
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Ofgem is the energy regulator for Great Britain and sets the rules suppliers must follow. Ofgem doesn't resolve individual complaints, but its guidance for businesses explains how business energy contracts work, what to check when using a broker, and where to get extra help.
Business support services
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Free government-backed advice is available across the UK if you'd like wider support with running your business. You can find the right business support service for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland on GOV.UK.
Northern Ireland
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If your business is in Northern Ireland, the Consumer Council provides advice for small and micro businesses on energy and can investigate complaints on your behalf.
Talk to your supplier
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If you're struggling to pay your electricity bills, contact your supplier as early as possible. Suppliers must treat micro businesses fairly, and contacting them early gives you more options for managing what you owe.
Get your micro business electricity quote
Tell us about your business and our experts will find a competitive electricity contract that fits how you work.