A Short Window to Cut Your Electricity Costs
If your business manufactures products in Great Britain, a new government scheme could reduce your electricity costs by up to 25%. The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) opened on 1 October, and applications close on 30 November 2026.
More than 10,000 businesses are thought to be eligible, and most firms in the sectors it covers are small businesses. So this isn’t only for big industrial sites.
What You Could Get
- A reduction in your electricity costs of up to 25%. The exact amount depends on the price you pay for your electricity.
- An extra one-off payment worth around a year’s relief, if you’re confirmed as eligible. This is only available to businesses that apply this year.
Could Your Business Qualify?
You need to meet all four of these tests:
- Your business is in an eligible sector, based on the code that describes what your company does.
- Your company is registered at Companies House.
- You make an eligible product.
- Your manufacturing site uses at least 33 megawatt hours of electricity from the grid each year. Your electricity bills will show your usage.
You must give all the details asked for. Passing an eligibility check isn’t the same as approval.
How to Apply
The government has published an evidence checklist to help you gather what you need before you start. Applications are made online:
How We Can Help
With the deadline only weeks away, please get in touch with the EOACC team as soon as possible if you think your business might qualify. We can help you check the tests and pull your evidence together.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute tax, financial or legal advice. You should seek professional advice before acting on its contents. EOACC accepts no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this information, to the fullest extent permitted by law.