Business Electric - Fix for 1, 2 or 3 years?

Business Electric - Fix for 1, 2 or 3 years?

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Discussion

JagXJGuy

Original Poster:

20 posts

21 months

Monday 28th August 2023
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I'm going to be renewing my business electric contract this week!

Based in Scotland, use approximately 14000kwh a year, no gas in the premises.

BG Lite seem to be the best on offer at the moment, today its showing as 40p standing charge and 29.79p kWh.

The average cost per month for a 1 year deal is £359.72 per month only increasing slightly to £370.94 per month for a 2 year fix and £375.00 p/m for a 3 year fix.

So my question is should I just fix for 1 year? That was the advice up until recently from a few contacts.

Or (I know its unpredictable/a gamble) should I fix for longer, which would secure my outlay in case costs keep rising year on year?

What would you do and why?

Many thanks

Mr Overheads

2,489 posts

183 months

Tuesday 29th August 2023
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Unfortunately no crystal ball. Markets are slowly, very slowly falling with the usual volatility on the way. Been rising last couple of weeks.

If you can afford £350ish a month for 3 years then you could fix, depends on your risk appetite. Personally I would fix for 1 year, or even 6 months so you next fix in Spring i.e. post Winter.

I don't see energy prices dropping say 50%, but might drop to say 20 to 23p if supply pressures ease if Ukraine situation resolves and various other geo/political/infrastructure impacts play out in the right way. So with Standing charges typically 50% of your bill so £175 ish, you're only risking a drop in the other £175. So lets say that drops 1/3rd you're talking about £50 to £60 a month variable.

Geoffcapes

828 posts

171 months

Tuesday 29th August 2023
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Almost 30p a kWh is very high!

Shop around, you should be getting around 25p at the moment, (even on a NHH meter) which yours looks like with that consumption.

We've advised our clients to just go with a 1 year fixed as prices are falling.

It's also what I will do for my home energy next month.

JagXJGuy

Original Poster:

20 posts

21 months

Thursday 31st August 2023
quotequote all
Thank you for the replies.

Will go for a 1 year deal, unfortunately being in Scotland the rates seem to be higher than across the border, lowest I've been quoted is 28.790p kWh