Qualifying businesses will save up to 25% off their electricity bills

Eligible businesses MUST apply for their BICS exemption before 30th November 2026 in order to receive their discount. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.

With British electricity prices significantly higher than many other European nations, energy-intensive businesses -- such as manufacturers --  have been hit hardest. The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is designed to rectify that. For eligible businesses, the discount is forecast to average at around 4p/kwh, which would provide the following annual savings:

Annual Electricity Consumption (kWh) Estimated Annual Savings (£)
50,000 - 200,000 £2,000 - £8,000
200,000 - 500,000 £8,000 - £20,000
500,000 - 2,000,000 £20,000 - £80,000
2,000,000+ £80,000+

The initial exemption also comes with a one-off back-dated payment from April'26, providing businesses with a larger one-off cash injection.


  • How does the scheme work?

All businesses who successfully applied will be exempt from paying RO and FiT charges from April 2027, they will also be exempt from Capacity market charges from October 2027.


  • Which businesses will be eligible?

Eligible businesses will need to show they:

  • Conduct manufacturing activity
  • Consume at least 33MWh per year
  • Have an eligible SIC code
  • Produce products with eligible HS codes

You can test the eligibility of your business using our eligibility calculator below.


  • How does the backdated payment work?

Businesses who successfully apply in the Oct-Nov'26 application window will receive a one-off payment covering the exemptions they would have received if the scheme had begun in April'26.


  • How does my business apply for the scheme?

Applications are submitted directly through the official government portal, where you will need to provide your company details, eligible SIC/HS codes, and proof of how much energy is used in the production of each eligible product. Our team can guide you through gathering the required evidence and auditing your eligibility to ensure a compliant submission.


KEY DATES FOR THE BICS SCHEME

From application to exemption — here's how the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme rolls out over 2026 and 2027.
1 Oct – 30 Nov 2026 Step 1
The applications window opens. Businesses must submit their application before it closes at the end of November.
1
2
8 January 2027 Step 2
Application results are issued by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
April 2027 Step 3
RO and Feed-in Tariff exemptions begin, together with a backdated payment covering costs from April 2026 onwards.
3
4
October 2027 Step 4
The Capacity Market exemption begins, completing the full scheme rollout.

TEST YOUR BICS ELIGIBILITY

Get Expert Help with Your BICS Application Today

Our experienced staff can help assessing eligibility, reviewing which products are eligible for the discount, and putting together everything you need for a successful BICS application. Contact us today for assistance with any part of your BICS journey.