Government Energy Bill Discount Scheme
Frequently asked questions about EBDS.
1What is the EBDS?
The current Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) ended on 31 March 2023. The Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) is a new package to support UK businesses with the cost of energy. It is due to come into force from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024, for an additional 12 months.
This legislation is due to be made legislation on 26 April 2023.
You can learn more about the new scheme on the Government’s website, here.
This legislation is due to be made legislation on 26 April 2023.
You can learn more about the new scheme on the Government’s website, here.
2How is made the EBDS?
The EBDS proposal contains 3 types of discounts
- Baseline discount,
- Energy and Trade Intensive Industry (ETII) discount,
- Qualifying Heating Supplier’ (QHS)* discount
3What is Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII)?
The 'ETII' stands for 'Energy and Trade Intensive Industries' and is an additional discount introduced by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) for businesses in energy and trade intensive industries.
4What is a Qualifying Heat Supplier (QHS)?
A Qualifying Heat Supplier (QHS) is an organisation who supplies and charges for the supply of heating and/or hot water to a domestic consumer through a heat network.
*Regent Gas doesn’t provide this scheme.
*Regent Gas doesn’t provide this scheme.
5Who is eligible to EBDS?
Everyone on a non-domestic contract, including:
- businesses
- voluntary sector organisations, such as charities
- public sector organisations such as schools, hospitals and care homes
- a fixed price contract accepted with us after the 1st December 2021
- a flexible contract or similar contracts
- a deemed/out of contract or variable tariffs
6What to do if eligible to the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS)?
All customers under EBRS will be automatically transferred to the EBDS on the 1st April 2023 and any relevant EBDS baseline discounts will be automatically applied.
However, if you are eligible for Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) or a Qualifying Heat Supplier (QHS), you will need to apply to receive the additional discount.
However, if you are eligible for Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) or a Qualifying Heat Supplier (QHS), you will need to apply to receive the additional discount.
7 How to know you are qualified for additional ETII support?
The government has published a list of those businesses that are in scope for this additional support according to their SIC Code.
View the full list of businesses that are in scope, as published by the government.
View the full list of businesses that are in scope, as published by the government.
8How to apply for additional ETII and QHS support?
If you think your business qualifies for this additional discount, you will need to apply via the Government portal, when it is launched to get a certificate from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, ESNZ.
For ETTIs the portal will be located here.
For QHS, the portal will be located here.
This portal is due to be live by end of April 2023.
For ETTIs the portal will be located here.
For QHS, the portal will be located here.
This portal is due to be live by end of April 2023.
9Can the customer opt-out of the scheme?
As part of the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS), you can elect that no discount is to be applied in respect of any energy supplied under your supply contract, this is referred to as an ‘opt-out notice. You can still choose to opt-in again.
There is more information on the government website.
There is more information on the government website.
10What is the discount rate?
How do I know if I’m eligible to receive support from the Government’s Energy Bills Discount Scheme?
You can see the recently published discount rates here.
For more information on how baseline discounts were calculated, visit the Government’s website, here.
For further information on discounts, please visit the Energy Bills Discount Scheme factsheet.
You can see the recently published discount rates here.
For more information on how baseline discounts were calculated, visit the Government’s website, here.
For further information on discounts, please visit the Energy Bills Discount Scheme factsheet.
11Is there a deadline for ETII or QHS applications?
Yes, you have 90 days to apply for the discount once the scheme has passed into law.
12Where to get more information?
You can visit the Government’s website for more information on the EBDS baseline discount, the ETII discount, and the QHS scheme.
Government Energy Bill Relief Scheme
Frequently asked questions about EBRS.
The UK Government has released a new scheme, Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) to help reduce the impact of rising energy prices for non-domestic energy customers: businesses, charities and public-sector organisations.
Further detailed information can be found here.
The scheme applies to customers who are:
- On fixed or flex contracts that were agreed on or after 1st December 2019
- Signing new fixed contracts that have a supply start date prior to 31/03/2023
- On deemed/Out of contract rates
The discount will be applied to gas usage between October 22 and March 2023 and will be done automatically by Regent Gas.
The discount will start to be shown on your invoices from November 2022 onwards that cover October’s gas usage.
Beware of any scams
Please stay alert. The discount will be applied automatically to your bill. You do not need to apply. Regent Gas will never ask for any bank details.
If you receive a suspicious email or SMS please don't click on any links, delete the email or message and report it.
If you think your details have been compromised, please report it.
COVID-19
Frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.
Supply
1Will COVID-19 have an impact on the security of my supply?
All the relevant UK industry parties responsible for ensuring the continuity of supply of gas have assured us that they can continue to provide the industry with products and services to protect the safety and to sustain the flow of gas.
2How can I best prepare my business for the time ahead?
We are asking all customers, where possible to register their accounts online, to manage their payments, view bills and provide meter readings. You will need your account number at hand to do this.
Billing
1Will you be giving your customers any discounts on bills?
We know some of our customers’ circumstances may have changed unexpectedly in recent weeks. If you're struggling to pay your bill, you can get in touch with our customer service. Each customer has a different story and different needs, therefore we will look at the requests on a case by case basis.
2Will you charge vacant premises?
For the businesses which have been closed due to COVID-19, we will still be issuing invoices with standing charges only. Although we may have to charge if electricity is being used. If your consumption is likely to change significantly, we would suggest that if you are able and it is safe to do so, to provide us with a meter reading so that we can bill you on actual consumption.
Facing financial hardship
1How will you be supporting those in financial difficulty due to businesses being closed?
If you're having difficulty paying your bill due to your business being closed because of COVID-19, we advise you to check available funding through HMRC and other government sources to access support for business costs. You will find a few links on our Covid-19 dedicated page.
2What is the process if a customer has to be closing temporarily?
If you have to close your business temporarily due to government advice, please send us a written confirmation listing the temporarily closed sites. We also ask you to send us a meter reading on the closing date. The site will be marked as temporarily closed on our system.
Meter
1My meter has a fault; will someone be able to fix it?
There are no changes to emergency procedures during this time. If there is an emergency such a gas leak please call 0800 111 999. To report any other non-emergency issues with your meter please contact your supplier who will contact us as normal. Alternatively, contact us directly to discuss any non-emergency issues. EMS essential cover includes the following field activities:
- Meter faults
- Off-supply
- Meter installations for safety, vulnerability or critical infrastructure reason
2My AMR meter is not working, what should I do?
Your meter will still be fully functioning so there will be no affect to your supply. Due to UK Government guidelines, as this is a non-essential activity, it will not be repaired until the current UK Government restrictions have been updated. You can contact our team who can log the fault for future repair.
Transfer & Exchange
1I am due to transfer to Regent Gas, will this still happen?
We will apply to your current supplier to initiate your switch. If your current supplier does not object, your supply will switch to us on your contract start date. Also due to the unprecedent circumstances, there could be delay in your switch to Regent Gas.
2I am due to transfer to another supplier, will this still happen?
Your incoming supplier is responsible for initiating the switch. If you are not in a valid contract and there is no outstanding balance on your account, we will not object to your switch. Also due to the unprecedent circumstances, there could be delay in your switch from Regent Gas.
3I’m waiting for a meter exchange, will this still go ahead?
Unfortunately due to the current UK Government guidelines, our meter installers will only be able to exchange meters due to emergency faults. We will contact you at a later date to arrange a new appointment for your meter exchange.
Frequently asked questions
For your reference, here’s a selection of common questions and answers relating to business gas supply, connection and metering. If you have any further questions, please contact Regent Gas.
1How often is my business gas meter read?
If your site uses less than 293,000 kWh per annum, we will aim to read your meter every 6 months. Between these readings, the monthly invoices sent out would be based on estimated readings, unless you supply us with a reading.
If your site uses more gas than this, it will be read on a monthly basis by the meter reading agency.
If your site uses more gas than this, it will be read on a monthly basis by the meter reading agency.
2How do I ensure that my business gas invoice is based on my reading?
If customers who use under 293,000 kWh per annum (or 10,000 therms a year) want their own readings to be used for the generation of invoices, rather than estimated readings, then they should contact our customer services department at the end of each month with their own readings. If you contact us at least 5 days before your normal invoice date, then you can ensure that your next invoice will be based on your own actual readings.
3How is my business gas invoice calculated?
Your invoice is calculated using the following formulae:
For gas meters measuring cubic feet:
difference in meter readings x correction factor x 2.83 x calorific value / 3.6 = kWh
For gas meters measuring in cubic meters:
difference in meter readings x correction factor x calorific value / 3.6 = kWh
Where ‘correction factor’ is a figure that takes into account changes in the volume of gas, based on temperature and pressure differentials and where ‘calorific value’, is a figure that takes into account differences caused by the quality of the gas in the amount of energy generated when the gas is burnt.
For gas meters measuring cubic feet:
difference in meter readings x correction factor x 2.83 x calorific value / 3.6 = kWh
For gas meters measuring in cubic meters:
difference in meter readings x correction factor x calorific value / 3.6 = kWh
Where ‘correction factor’ is a figure that takes into account changes in the volume of gas, based on temperature and pressure differentials and where ‘calorific value’, is a figure that takes into account differences caused by the quality of the gas in the amount of energy generated when the gas is burnt.
4How much VAT do I pay on my business gas?
Supplies of fuel and power are subject to the standard rate of Value Added Tax, which is currently 20% unless there is a provision for the reduced rate (5%) for qualifying use or zero-rate to apply. The legal provisions for the reduced rate are in the VAT Act 1994, Section 2 (Annex A).
Qualifying use is domestic use and use by a charity for its non-business activities. Regent Gas will apply the standard rate to all supplies unless we are in possession of a signed VAT Declaration Certificate. If you have any doubt that you qualify for reduced rate VAT you should contact your local VAT Office. Call 0845 010 9000 for the National Advice Line.
Qualifying use is domestic use and use by a charity for its non-business activities. Regent Gas will apply the standard rate to all supplies unless we are in possession of a signed VAT Declaration Certificate. If you have any doubt that you qualify for reduced rate VAT you should contact your local VAT Office. Call 0845 010 9000 for the National Advice Line.
5What is CCL?
CCL stands for Climate Change Levy, a tax introduced by the government in April 2001. All UK businesses and public sector organisations pay CCL tax on their energy consumption. It will be shown separately from VAT on your invoice.
6How do I pay my business gas bill?
Regent Gas accepts the following methods of payment:
Direct Debit. Your payment for the invoiced amount will be automatically taken from your account 10 days after the invoice date.
Standing Order. For fixed monthly amounts. We will work out your monthly payments depending on your annual usage of gas.
BACS: Deposit payments for invoices directly into our account. When you use this method of payment, you must send us remittance advice so that we can correctly allocate the payment to the relevant invoice(s).
Cheque. You can also send us a cheque for the invoiced amount.
Direct Debit. Your payment for the invoiced amount will be automatically taken from your account 10 days after the invoice date.
Standing Order. For fixed monthly amounts. We will work out your monthly payments depending on your annual usage of gas.
BACS: Deposit payments for invoices directly into our account. When you use this method of payment, you must send us remittance advice so that we can correctly allocate the payment to the relevant invoice(s).
Cheque. You can also send us a cheque for the invoiced amount.
7How do I query an invoice?
Any queries on invoices can usually be resolved by contacting our customer services department. For instance, if you feel that the invoice you received is not reasonable, because the estimated read was either too high or too low, all you need to do is provide us with your own customer reading and we can reissue you with a new, recalculated invoice.
Please note that you should bring any queries such as this to our attention as soon as possible, as direct debit payments are typically made 10 days after the invoice date and we would need to amend your account before this direct debit is taken to avoid any problems.
Please note that you should bring any queries such as this to our attention as soon as possible, as direct debit payments are typically made 10 days after the invoice date and we would need to amend your account before this direct debit is taken to avoid any problems.
8How do I make a complaint?
If you have a complaint please follow our complaints procedure.
9Project Nexus - what's happening?
An updated central gas system, operated by Xoserve, will be implemented in the UK. The central system, also known as UK Link systems, supports gas settlement and supply point administration on behalf of gas transporters. Project Nexus is being managed by Ofgem and PwC and is currently on track for implementation on 01 June 2017.
