Is Your Business Prepared for BICS?
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is set to go live in April 2027, and many eligible businesses aren’t ready, putting them at risk of missing out on up to 25% off their energy bills.Â
The application window is set to open on the 1st October 2026, and you’ll need to ensure you have all the relevant documentation to prove your eligibility. From providing detailed energy consumption data to checking your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code to confirm you fall into the designated sectors, you’ll need to ensure you can pass the government’s assessment to access the savings.Â
Working with Consultiv Utilities means you’ll benefit from our expert strategic guidance – helping you navigate complex eligibility criteria, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to BICS compliance, while giving you peace of mind that you qualify for up to 25% off your energy costs.
Book your free initial consultation with our team today to get prepared.Â
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What is the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme?
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) has been introduced by the UK Government to support electricity-intensive manufacturing sectors that are critical to the UK economy and supply chain.
The scheme is expected to focus on:
- Manufacturing businesses operating within key growth and foundational sectors
- Organisations with high levels of electricity intensity
- Businesses that contribute to strategic UK industrial supply chains
- Companies facing international competitive pressures linked to energy costs
The initiative forms part of a wider industrial strategy designed to improve UK manufacturing competitiveness, encourage investment and support long-term economic growth.
The BICS Scheme: Key Information
Scope:
-
Will support 10,000 eligible energy-intensive manufacturers.
Potential Savings:
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Electricity costs cut by up to £40/MWh.
Start Date:
-
Scheduled to go live in April 2027. Application window opens on 1st October 2026.
How Will the BICS Scheme Benefit My Business?
BICS-eligible businesses will be exempt from paying the indirect costs of:
This will result in energy savings worth around £35 to £45 per MWh, cutting bills by up to 25%.
These reduced energy costs can help your business:
- Reinvest saved capital into clean energy initiatives or new technologies
- Protect jobs and create opportunities for expansion, recruitment and skills development
- Improve cash flow and reduce pressure from rising operational costs
- Stay competitive with European and global businesses
- Grow sustainably with more predictable energy pricing
Find out more about how your business can benefit from BICS.Â
Is My Business Eligible for the BICS Energy Scheme?
To qualify for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, your business must:
- Operate in one of the government’s priority manufacturing “frontier” industries (within the Industrial Strategy’s growth sectors or ‘IS-8’), or operate in a foundational manufacturing industry that supplies them.
- Manufacture at least one eligible product, as defined by specific World Customs Organization Harmonized System (HS) codes.
- Meet a certain threshold of electricity intensity (more than 3.5 MWh of electricity).
You need to meet all of these requirements to be eligible for BICS savings.
Unclear if your business is eligible? Book your free BICS consultation with Consultiv Utilities – our expert team will help you understand if you’re eligible.Â
To qualify for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, your business must:
How Can I Ensure My Business is Prepared for BICS?
While applications for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme are not yet open, there are steps that your business should be taking today to help you access savings of up to £40/MWh.
- Check your current Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes and Harmonised System (HS) product codes against those outlined in the GOV.UK BICS Consultation.
- Gather comprehensive energy data to prove you meet the required electricity-intensity thresholds.
- Review your current or future energy supply agreements to ensure there are no terms that might prevent you from claiming BICS savings.
- Speak with an experienced energy broker, such as Consultiv Utilities, to ensure you have all the relevant documentation to meet BICS requirements and model potential cost savings.
Confused about preparing for BICS? Don’t leave your business’s BICS eligibility to chance – speak to the Consultiv Utilities team today about getting prepared.
The application window will open on the 1st October 2026.Â
Still not sure if your business qualifies for the BICS scheme?
Book your free BICS consultation with Consultiv Utilities – our expert team will help you understand if you’re eligible.Â
Practical Support for Manufacturers Preparing for BICS
At Consultiv Utilities, we help manufacturers take a proactive approach to BICS by combining strategic consultancy, energy expertise and detailed operational insight. Our focus is on helping businesses position themselves effectively ahead of implementation, while ensuring BICS support forms part of a broader energy and cost-management strategy.
As government guidance continues to evolve, many manufacturers are unsure whether they may qualify under the scheme or what information they may need to provide.Our team works closely with organisations to assess operational and energy profiles against likely eligibility criteria, helping businesses gain early visibility of where they may stand.
This includes support with:
- Reviewing electricity consumption intensityÂ
- Analysing manufacturing activity and sector alignmentÂ
- Assessing supply structures across single and multi-site operationsÂ
- Evaluating current non-commodity cost exposureÂ
- Identifying potential qualifying areas within complex businessesÂ
- Tracking ongoing policy developments and consultationsÂ
Rather than leaving businesses to interpret technical guidance alone, we provide clear, commercially focused advice designed to support informed decision-making. The first step is booking your free BICS consultation with a member of our experienced team.
How We Help Businesses Like Yours
Why Choose Consultiv Utilities?
Speak to Our Energy Consultancy Team and Get Prepared For BICS
If your organisation could be impacted by the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, now is the time to start preparing. If you wait, you risk missing out on up to 25% in energy savings.Â
Contact Consultiv Utilities today to discuss how we can support your business through BICS – and beyond.
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