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British consumer legislation and regulatory protection is traditionally focused to protect domestic energy customers, not businesses. However, in January 2010 Ofgem introduced a number of protections for micro-business customers which we discuss below.
New protections for micro-business customers
Last year Ofgem completed a probe into Britain’s energy supply market which included a detailed look at the small business sector of the market and the issues affecting it. The probe identified that the smallest businesses struggle to engage in the energy market and so we have introduced new rules to give them better protection.
A micro business is defined as a company which meets one of the following criteria:
- consumes less than 200,000 kWh of gas a year, or
- consumes less than 55,000 kWh of electricity a year, or
- has fewer than ten employees (or their full-time equivalent) and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total not exceeding €2m.
A Helping small business factsheet is available providing information on these new protections. Full background information is available on the energy supply market probe.
Ofgem has also published fact sheets giving businesses advice on switching and understanding their energy contracts.
Micro-business complaints
If you have a complaint with an energy company, you should follow its published complaints process. If your complaint is not resolved to your satisfaction within 8 weeks – earlier if your supplier explains that they cannot do anything else to help you – and your business fits within the micro-business definition above, the Energy Ombudsman may be able to look at your complaint. A factsheet is available for further information.
If you encounter any difficulties then Consumer Direct, via Direct.gov website the national advice agency - link opens in a new browser window, can offer further guidance on how to progress matters. Tel: 08454 040506
Further information for businesses is also available from Consumer Focus, the consumer advocate - link opens in a new browser window
Getting a connection
Information on obtaining a one-off gas connection to industrial and commercial properties can be found on our getting a connection page.