As an energy broker, it’s our responsibility to keep my clients informed about the latest developments in the UK energy industry. One of the most significant recent developments is the Energy Bill Support Scheme, or EBDS, which was announced by the UK government in late 2021. This scheme is designed to provide additional support to eligible non-domestic customers across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including public sector organisations and trade-intensive industries, who are struggling with the high energy costs resulting from the wholesale price increases.
The EBDS scheme will run from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024, providing relief to eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain during this period. It replaces the previous Energy Bill Discount Scheme and Energy Bill Relief Scheme, offering a higher level of support than before. The new scheme will offer a maximum discount of up to £150,000 for eligible non-domestic customers, helping them to manage their energy bills and stay competitive in their sectors.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the EBDS scheme and what it means for business energy customers. We’ll explore who is eligible for support under the scheme, how it differs from previous schemes, and what businesses can do to take advantage of this government support.
What is the EBDS?
If you are a business owner or manager in the UK, you may have heard of the Energy Bill Support Scheme, also known as EBDS. This government-supported scheme provides eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain with a higher level of support for their energy bills.
The EBDS was introduced on April 1, 2022, and was set to end on March 31, 2023. However, due to the ongoing economic challenges faced by businesses across the UK, the government has extended the scheme. From April 2023 to March 31, 2024, eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain can continue to benefit from this support.
Under the scheme, businesses that meet certain criteria can receive a maximum discount on their energy bills. The discount is calculated based on the difference between the wholesale price of gas and electricity and a predetermined price threshold. This discount is then applied to the business’s energy bills.
The EBDS is particularly beneficial for energy and trade-intensive industries, which often face higher energy costs. This includes businesses in sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. However, the scheme is open to all eligible non-domestic customers, including public sector organizations.
To be eligible for the scheme, businesses must meet certain criteria. They must be located in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and must use a significant amount of energy for their business activities. Additionally, they must not be in arrears on their energy bills.
If you are a business owner or manager and believe you may be eligible for the EBDS, it is worth looking into the scheme to see if it can provide support for your energy bills. However, it is important to note that the EBDS comes to an end on March 31, 2024. After this date, businesses will need to look for alternative support schemes.
Looking ahead, the UK government has announced a new Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) for eligible non-domestic customers in Great Britain. The new scheme is set to replace the existing EBDS from 1 April 2023 and will run until 31 March 2024. The new scheme is intended to continue to provide support for businesses with their energy bills and is expected to be similar to the current scheme.
In conclusion, the EBDS is an important support scheme for eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain, providing valuable relief for energy bills. While the scheme has been extended until March 31, 2024, businesses should also be aware of the new energy bill discount scheme that will be introduced on April 1, 2023. As an energy broker, I believe that taking advantage of government-supported energy schemes can help businesses save money and reduce energy costs, ultimately contributing to their bottom line.
How much is the EBDS?
As an energy broker, one of the most common questions we receive from our clients is: “How much is the Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS)?” This is an important question, as the scheme provides eligible non-domestic customers with a discount on their energy bills, helping to reduce their energy costs.
The EBDS was introduced in April 2022 and provides a higher level of support to eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland who are considered to be in energy and trade-intensive industries. The scheme provides a maximum discount of up to 50% on the electricity and gas bills of eligible non-domestic consumers, subject to a price threshold.
The current scheme is set to come to an end on March 31, 2023. However, the UK government has announced the introduction of a new energy bill discount scheme which will take effect from April 1, 2023, and will run until March 31, 2024.
Under the new scheme, eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain will continue to receive support for their energy bills. The details of the new scheme are yet to be announced, but we expect it to be similar to the existing scheme and provide a maximum discount of up to 50% on electricity and gas bills, subject to a price threshold.
The government has recognized the importance of providing support for businesses, especially during these challenging times. The EBDS and its successor scheme provide vital support to businesses and organizations across the UK. It is important to note that the scheme is only available to eligible non-domestic consumers and does not apply to residential customers.
In conclusion, the Energy Bill Discount Scheme provides eligible non-domestic consumers with a discount on their energy bills, helping to reduce their energy costs. The current scheme is set to end on March 31, 2023, but a new scheme will take effect from April 1, 2023, and run until March 31, 2024. As an energy broker, we will continue to keep our clients up to date with the latest news and developments in the energy industry, ensuring that they are receiving the best outcomes and support for their businesses.
What do customers need to do to qualify for the EBDS scheme?
The Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) is a government support scheme that aims to provide eligible non-domestic customers in Great Britain with energy bill relief. This scheme is particularly targeted at energy and trade-intensive industries and public sector organizations, that are struggling with high energy costs.
To qualify for the EBDS scheme, eligible non-domestic consumers must meet certain criteria. Firstly, their business energy supplier must be participating in the scheme, and they must be responsible for paying their own energy bills. Secondly, the business must fall below a certain price threshold.
For the 2022-2023 scheme year, the maximum discount available to eligible non-domestic customers is £4,000. However, from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, eligible non-domestic consumers may receive a higher level of support through the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme.
To be eligible for the new scheme, businesses must meet the following criteria:
- They must be responsible for paying their own gas and electricity bills
- Their business energy supplier must be participating in the scheme
- They must have an electricity or gas supply point that is used solely for business purposes
- They must fall below the relevant price threshold
The new scheme will run from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, and eligible non-domestic customers may receive a maximum discount of £4,000 during this period. Applications for the new scheme will open in April 2023, and eligible customers will have until 31 March 2024 to apply.
In summary, to qualify for the EBDS or the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme, businesses must be responsible for paying their own energy bills, their energy supplier must be participating in the scheme, and they must fall below a certain price threshold. The new scheme will provide eligible non-domestic customers with a maximum discount of £4,000 and will run from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. It is important for businesses to keep up-to-date with the latest energy news and schemes to ensure that they are taking advantage of all available government support for their energy costs.
What does the EBDS scheme mean for brokers?
The Energy Bill Discount Scheme (EBDS) is a government initiative aimed at providing support for eligible non-domestic customers across the UK. As an energy broker, the scheme presents a unique opportunity to add value to your services and help your customers save on their energy bills. In this article, we’ll explore what the EBDS scheme means for brokers.
Firstly, the EBDS scheme provides brokers with an additional tool to help eligible non-domestic consumers in Great Britain reduce their energy costs. Brokers can use their knowledge of the scheme to inform and advise their customers about the support available to them. This can help build trust with customers and add value to your services.
Furthermore, brokers can use the EBDS scheme as a way to differentiate themselves from their competitors. By promoting the scheme and demonstrating a clear understanding of how it works, brokers can position themselves as experts in their field and attract new business.
The EBDS scheme also presents an opportunity for brokers to help eligible non-domestic consumers take advantage of the maximum discount available to them. Brokers can work with their customers to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and help them to apply for the discount. This can lead to significant savings for businesses, which can further strengthen the relationship between brokers and their customers.
It’s worth noting that the EBDS scheme comes to an end in March 2024, which means brokers have a limited time to take advantage of the support available. However, the government has recently announced a new Energy Bill Support Scheme, which will replace the EBDS from 1 April 2023. This new scheme will provide eligible non-domestic consumers with a higher level of support and a new price threshold.
In conclusion, the EBDS scheme provides brokers with an opportunity to add value to their services and help their customers reduce their energy bills. By promoting the scheme and working closely with eligible non-domestic consumers, brokers can differentiate themselves from their competitors and build strong, long-term relationships with their customers. As the new Energy Bill Support Scheme comes into effect in April 2023, brokers should stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments in the energy industry to ensure they continue to provide the best possible service to their customers.