The government introduced energy bills support for non-domestic customers over the winter period following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting increase in wholesale energy prices. The standard Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) was introduced to support customers with standard energy supply arrangements. This was followed by the EBRS for Non-Standard Cases (NSC), launched in January for non-domestic customers supplied by licence-exempt providers via the grid where prices paid are pegged to wholesale energy prices.
Applications are now reopening for an expanded cohort to apply retrospectively for support under EBRS NSC, covering eligible energy consumed between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023. This cohort now also includes customers on licence-exempt supply that provided via private wire or pipe not through the grid, where prices paid are pegged to wholesale energy prices.
The expanded cohort are also now eligible for support under the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) for Non-Standard Cases, covering eligible energy consumed between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. The EBDS was introduced following a HM Treasury review of the energy schemes and reflects the fact that wholesale prices are lower than they were.
Eligibility: non-domestic customers that receive gas and/or electricity via wire or pipe from a licence-exempt provider where prices paid are pegged to wholesale energy prices. Support is only available when wholesale prices exceed a certain threshold and is subject to a maximum rate. We are encouraging Qualified Energy Providers to apply on behalf of their customers where possible.
EBRS NSC
Timeframe: eligible energy consumed 1 October 2022 – 31 March 2023
Claims window: until 11 September 2023
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bill-relief-scheme-non-standard-cases
EBDS NSC
Timeframe: eligible energy consumed 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024
Application & claims window: until 15 April 2024
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-discount-scheme-non-standard-cases
Under EBDS NSC, a higher level of support is also available to customers that meet the criteria for Energy and Trade Intensive Industries and Heat Networks. These require an additional certification.
