Electricity billing in the UK
In the UK, an electricity supplier is a retailer of electricity. For each supply point the supplier has to pay the various costs of transmission, distribution, meter operation, data collection, tax etc. The supplier then adds in energy costs and the supplier's own charge.
MSP and GSP
MSP kWh is the amount of electricity consumed at the 'meter supply point', which is the customer's meter. GSP kWh is obtained by multiplying the MSP kWh by the Line Loss Factor (LLF, a figure > 1) to include the amount of electricity lost when it is conducted through the distribution network, from the 'grid supply point' to the customer's meter. Some kWh elements of the bill are charged at MSP and some at GSP. The LLF for a particular supply depends on the DNO and the supply's characteristics and the time and date (day of week, season etc.).
The bill
The consumer pays the supplier according to an agreed tariff, possibly including pass-through costs. A pass-through cost is a cost that is charged to the energy supplier, but is then "passed through" directly to the consumer.
Transmission charges
Transmission charges, known as "Transmission Network Use of System" (TNUoS), are paid to National Grid to cover the expense of running the grid - either charged as TRIAD for large levels of demand, or based on usage between 4pm and 7pm for smaller demand levels. The charge for a supply is calculated at the end of the financial year by taking an average of the GSP kW at each of the three TRIAD times, and multiplying it by the rate (which varies by DNO).
RCRC
Residual cashflow reallocation cashflow (RCRC) covers balancing costs in the last 15 minutes before gate closure. The charge is for each half-hour, and may be positive or negative.[1]
Distribution charges
The distribution charges, known as the "distribution use of system" (DUoS) charges, are paid to the distribution network operator (DNO) on whose network the meter point is located. The charges are:
Availability
Availability, otherwise known as "supply capacity" or (kVa), is the maximum kVA allowed for a particular supply in a particular network, and is set before the supply is energised. This maximum capacity is charged every month despite the fact the maximum demand may be lower. If this availability figure is exceeded, the maximum demand may be charged instead and this figure may stay as the chargeable figure for twelve months depending on the distribution area. Alternatively, it can just return to the original availability figure.
• Unit rates - these rates are split into 3 time periods; Red, Amber and Green. These charges vary per distribution company. Please see the chart below for the applicable timebands for each company.
| DNO | Band | Weekday | Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Power - Midlands, South West & Wales (EMEB & MIDE) | Red | 16:00 - 19:00 | |
| Amber | 07:30 - 16:00 & 19:00 - 21:00 | ||
| Green | 00:00 - 07:30 & 21:00 - 24:00 | all day | |
| Western Power - Midlands, South West & Wales (SWALEC) | Red | 17:00 - 19:30 | |
| Amber | 07:30 - 17:00 & 19:30 - 22:00 | 12:00 - 13:00 & 16:00 - 21:00 | |
| Green | 00:00 - 07:30 & 22:00 - 24:00 | 00:00 - 12:00 & 13:00 - 16:00 & 21:00 - 24:00 | |
| Western Power - Midlands, South West & Wales (SWEB) | Red | 17:00 - 19:00 | |
| Amber | 07:30 - 17:00 & 19:00 - 21:30 | 16:30 - 19:30 | |
| Green | 00:00 - 7:30 & 21:30 - 24:00 | 00:00 - 16:30 & 19:30 - 24:00 | |
| NorthEast (YELG) | Red | 16:00 - 19:30 | |
| Amber | 08:00 - 16:00 & 19:30 - 22:00 | ||
| Green | 00:00 - 08:00 & 22:00 - 24:00 | all day | |
| NorthEast (NEEB) | Red | 16:00 - 19:30 | |
| Amber | 08:00 - 16:00 & 19:30 - 22:00 | ||
| Green | 00:00 - 08:00 & 22:00 - 24:00 | all day | |
| London Power (LOND) | Red | 11:00 - 14:00 & 16:00 - 19:00 | |
| Amber | 07:00 - 11:00 & 14:00 - 16:00 & 19:00 - 23:00 | ||
| Green | 00:00 - 07:00 & 23:00 - 24:00 | all day | |
| Eastern (EELC) | Red | 16:00 - 19:00 | |
| Amber | 07:00 - 16:00 & 19:00 - 23:00 | ||
| Green | 00:00 - 07:00 & 23:00 - 24:00 | all day | |
| South Eastern (SEEB) | Red | 16:00 - 19:00 | |
| Amber | 07:00 - 16:00 & 19:00 - 23:00 | ||
| Green | 00:00 - 07:00 & 23:00 - 24:00 | all day | |
| North West (NORW) | Red | 16:30 - 18:30 & 19:30 - 22:00 | |
| Amber | 09:00 - 16:30 & 18:30 - 20:30 | 16:30 - 18:30 | |
| Green | 00:00 - 09:00 & 20:30 - 24:00 | 00:00 - 12:30 & 18:30 - 24:00 | |
| Scottish Hydro (HYDE) | Red | 12:30 - 14:30 & 16:30 - 21:00 | |
| Amber | 07:00 - 12:30 & 14:30 - 16:30 | 12:30 - 14:00 & 17:30 - 20:30 | |
| Green | 00:00 - 07:00 & 21:00 - 24:00 | 00:00 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 17:30 & 20:30 - 24:00 | |
| Southern Electric (SOUT) | Red | 16:30 - 19:00 | |
| Amber | 09:00 - 16:30 & 19:00 - 20:30 | ||
| Green | 00:00 - 09:00 & 20:30 - 24:00 | all day | |
| Manweb (MANW) | Red | 16:30 - 19:30 | |
| Amber | 08:00 - 16:30 & 19:30 - 22:30 | 16:00 - 20:00 | |
| Green | 00:00 - 08:00 & 22:30 - 24:00 | 00:00 - 16:00 & 20:00 - 24:00 | |
| Scottish Power (SPOW) | Red | 16:30 - 19:30 | |
| Amber | 08:00 - 16:30 & 19:30 - 22:30 | 16:00 - 20:00 | |
| Green | 00:00 - 08:00 & 22:30 - 24:00 | 00:00 - 16:00 & 20:00 - 24:00 |
Reactive power
This also varies with each distribution area, and is charged if the power factor for a supply is deemed too low.
Fixed charge
The fixed charge is in units of pence / MPAN / day.[2]
Climate Change Levy
The Climate Change Levy is a p/kWh tax on certain electricity use. Exempt supplies include domestic supplies and supplies using less than the de minimis threshold of 1,000 kWh / month.[3]
Energy charge
Energy charges pay per kWh (kilo watt hour).
Data collection charge
The data collection charge is a fee paid to the data collector for determining the energy consumption of the supply.
Meter operation charge
The meter operation charge is a fee paid to the meter operator for installing and maintaining the meter.
VAT
VAT is payable at the standard rate unless the supply meets certain conditions (e.g. domestic supplies, or supplies that use less than 1000 kWh per month) in which case they are charged at the reduced rate.[4]
Changing supplier
For a non-half-hourly supply, the NHHDC sets the change of supplier (CoS) read from a meter read, a customer read or a deemed read. A deemed read is one estimated by the NHHDC based on any previous or subsequent readings. A CoS read can be disputed up to final reconciliation.[5] Final reconciliation is fourteen months afterwards. If a normal read comes in after final reconciliation that is lower than the CoS read, the new supplier should credit the customer.
See also
- Chellow - UK electricity bill checking software.
Notes
- ↑ Elexon. "Credit and Pricing". Retrieved 2011-03-17.
- ↑ WPD. "WPD Use of System Charging Statement". Retrieved 2013-07-04.
- ↑ HM Revenue & Customs (January 2007). "Reliefs and special treatments for taxable supplies. HMRC Reference:Notice CCL1/3". Retrieved 2008-05-20.
- ↑ HM Revenue & Customs (January 2002). "Fuel and power. HMRC Reference:Notice 701/19". Retrieved 2008-05-17.
- ↑ Elexon (February 2004). "Elexon Link - Validation of D0300 Replacement Change of Supplier Reads" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-12-23. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
