P272 Legislation – Your Business' P272 Guide

HAYWARDS HEATH, U.K. - Sept. 11, 2018 - PRLog -- P272 legislation has now been in place for over year. Implemented in April 2017, P272 is regarded as one of the most significant changes in the business energy market since deregulation.

What is P272 legislation?
Essentially, P272 is regulation for energy suppliers to use more detailed and accurate energy information about their customers' consumption. Since April 2017, P272 legislation requires that all businesses in profile classes 5 to 8 have their energy use recorded every half hour, part of a process known as 'settlement'. This mandatory regulation affects the way all electricity suppliers settle electricity consumption for businesses.

By licence, energy suppliers are required to take all reasonable steps to install half-hourly meters (HH) at the premises of customers in profile classes 5-8.

Why what P272 implemented?
The revised Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) Modifications mean that energy suppliers and generators have more accurate energy consumption data on which to base the settlement process.

During a settlement, suppliers and generators trade with each other to meet energy consumers' need. For every half-hour period, they will compare:

• How much energy suppliers have bought
• The amount of energy consumers have used
• Then calculate the charges a supplier must pay to make up the difference

Before the new P272 legislation, the energy suppliers and generators would rely on estimated to work out customers' energy consumption. With the installation of half-hourly meters, however, this data is accessible at their fingertips.

Does P272 legislation affect your business?
P272 applies to all businesses in profile classes 5-8. According to OFGEM's P272 site, the legislation affects approximately 160,000 medium energy usage organisations in Britain.

How do I know the profile class of my business?
Take a look at the Meter Point Administration Number/Supply Number on your electricity bill – this is a legal requirement and you will find it on your bill, regardless of the supplier you use.

• If the first number in the box to the right of the 'S' is 05, 06, 07 or 08, then your business is affected by the changes.
• If the number is 01, 02, 03, 04 or 00, P272 does not affect your business.

What are the business benefits (https://smarterbusiness.co.uk/p272-taking-benefits-smart-...)?
Having access to half-hourly energy data will help your business manage and use energy more efficiently. With more understanding and insights into your electricity use, your business will have accurate information on which to base your energy management decisions.

• Get a more accurate energy bill, based on actual data instead of estimates
• Identify and maximise energy efficiencies
• Manage your energy consumption
• Reduce energy costs
• Suppliers have the opportunity to offer more bespoke deals tailored to your business' individual energy use

Want to find out more about P272 legislation?
Contact a Smarter Business energy broker (https://smarterbusiness.co.uk/) for expert advice about the impact of P272 legislation on your business.