Business Electricity from EDF Energy
French state owned electricity supplier EDF Energy has become an increasingly prevalent player in UK energy in recent years.
Having established a dedicated business focus, whether SME or Corporate, EDF Energy has a range of different business electricity tariffs to suit businesses of any size.
EDF Energy acquired the former South Eastern and South Western electricity businesses and also took control of the UK nuclear generator British Energy.
EDF Energy Checklist
Security
- Are their prices fully fixed? For SME customers all contracts allow pass through of costs, for larger business customers a choice of fixed or pass through contracts are provided
- Do they include metering and transportation costs in the price? Yes
- Do they include FIT and RO and CFD in the price? Yes
- What is their back billing policy? Limited to three years
- Do they require a letter of authority? Yes
- Does the contract lapse on change of tenancy? Yes
Transparency
- Is your contract end date on the invoice? Yes
- Is your termination date on the invoice? No
- When will your renewal letter arrive? 60 days before end date
- When do you need to terminate?At least 30 days before end date
- Do they require termination letter by recorded delivery? Yes
- Will they rollover your contract? Yes
- How high are the out of contract rates? 18.06p/kWh Electricity, 5.90p/kWh Gas
Convenience
- Do they mandate Direct Debit payment terms? No
- What are their Direct Debit terms? Fixed, Monthly
- Do they offer Cash / Cheque payment terms? Yes
- Do they support reduced rate VAT declaration? Yes
- Do they bill monthly or quarterly? Quarterly
- Do they provide online billing? Yes
Services
- Do they install smart meters as part of the supply contract? No
- Do they support existing smart meters with full functionality? No
- Do they provide New Connection & Upgrade Services? Yes
- Do they support IGT meters? No
- Do they support all electricity profiles including half hourly? EDF’s SME business only support standard profile meters however their I&C business contracts will support Maximum Demand and half hourly meters
- Do they support related and aggregated meters? Support related but not aggregated meters
Environmental
- Do they offer green and renewable products? Yes
- What is their Fuel Mix? 3.5% Gas, 56.1% Nuclear, 26.8% Coal, 13.5% Renewable
Other things to know about EDF Energy
For its SME customers the Exeter and Bristol based business:- Offers 1-3 year contracts for its SME customers
- Provides a 7% Direct Debit Discount
- Offers a range of different products specifically designed for businesses at various times in their lifecycle;
- Offers the same price for both new and renewal customers;
- Offers a dedicated offering for start up or moving businesses;
- Offers variable price contracts with no fixed end date or exit fees;
- Offers standard fixed price contracts;
- Offers dedicated contracts for high and low users;
- Welcomes customers of any credit score (Delphi);
- Offers deals specifically designed for property businesses such as landlords and developers;
- Operates a free phone number for their UK-based business energy team;
- Provides free energy efficiency advice;
- Provides online account access and online meter reading;
- Will take on smart meters from any source but will operate them as traditional manually read meters;
- For its larger business customers EDF Energy:
- Offers three contract types: Fixed + Peace of Mind, Fixed + Reflective, and Fixed + Protect;
- Fixed + Peace of Mind fixes all elements of the price
- Fixed + Protect fixes all elements but allows for changes above certain tolerances to be chargeable
- Both Fixed + Peace of Mind and Fixed + Protect:
- Are available for up to 24 months in duration
- For both NHH and HH customers
- For customers consuming up to 50GWH per year
- Fixed + Reflective is only available to HH customers and passes through third party costs
- It also includes a volume tolerance above which additional charges may be made
- Is available for up to 24 months in duration
- For customers consuming between 10 and 50GWH per annum
Security
EDF Energy’s latest contract terms for business electricity customers: EDF Energy offer the options of a ‘Fixed + Peace of Mind’ product, a ‘Fixed + Protect’ product and a Fixed + Reflective. These product names can be confusing given their similarity however there are fundamental differences between the three. EDF Energy’s Fixed + Peace of Mind contracts guarantee your unit price will stay fixed in all but exceptional circumstances – no matter how much electricity you use. In addition it fixes all third party costs including levies and taxes. This is a market leading position and means that when you agree a contract with with EDF Energy on a Fixed + Peace of Mind contract you are safe in the knowledge that the price will remain at the level agreed throughout the contract.- Commodity: Inclusive, Fixed
- Transportation: Inclusive, Fixed
- Metering: Inclusive, Fixed
- FIT: Inclusive, Fixed
- RO: Inclusive, Fixed
- CFD: Inclusive, Fixed
- Commodity: Inclusive, Fixed unless tolerance threshold of 20% is breached
- Transportation: Inclusive, Fixed
- Metering: Inclusive, Fixed
- FIT: Inclusive, Fixed unless tolerance threshold of 40% is breached
- RO: Inclusive, Fixed unless tolerance threshold of 40% is breached
- CFD: Inclusive, Fixed unless tolerance threshold of 40% is breached
- Commodity: Inclusive, Fixed unless tolerance threshold of 10% is breached
- Transportation: Inclusive, Variable
- Metering: Inclusive, Variable
- FIT: Inclusive, Variable
- RO: Inclusive, Variable
- CFD: Inclusive, Variable
- Where a change in law occurs affecting delivery of the contract.
- Where the customer fails to fulfil their obligations under the contract.
- Where the installed metering system changes.
Back billing and EDF Energy
EDF Energy is signed up to the Energy UK Back Billing standards and limits back billing for micro businesses and “EDF Energy defined SMEs” to three years. Many suppliers have already voluntarily limited their back billing rights to two years and in some cases a single year. However equally a number of suppliers are not signed up to the Energy UK Back Billing standards and therefore, under the Limitations Act, are able to back bill their customers for anything up to 6 years. EDF Energy are therefore not market leading in this area. To find out more visit our Guide to Back billing.EDF Energy and Letters of Authority
In order to act on your behalf in securing your business a great energy deal EDF Energy require us to have a signed Letter of Authority from yourselves. The fastest way to authorise us to work on your energy supply arrangements is to use our eSign service to agree our Evergreen Letter of Authority.Change of Tenancy and EDF Energy
Moving into a premise is known as a Change of Tenancy in the business energy market. It has also been termed a Change of Occupier or is known by its acronyms CoT and COO. However it is referred to, the opportunities it opens up are the same. This is great news for deal seekers. Whilst the existing supplier is obliged to continue to provide energy to the new occupier, the occupier is not obliged to take out an extended contract with that supplier. Indeed a Change of Tenancy customer has total freedom of movement and is free to accept a contract with a supplier of their choice There are however of course a number of rules and requirements. Firstly, as the new occupier, if you use energy you will need to pay for it, regardless of your contractual status. Secondly, you will need to identify as quickly as possible the identity of the existing supplier Thirdly, you will need to field calls from sales organisations and the existing supplier themselves offering you contracts of varying lengths to continue or to begin to supply the premises. As a result as a new occupier you will need to agree a new contract either with the existing supplier or with a new supplier of your choice. Not only that but you will need to inform the existing supplier as quickly as possible that you are the new tenant to prevent you being held liable for charges incurred by the previous occupier should they not have ended their agreement satisfactory. It can prove a real headache knowing whom to trust – whether it’s the old tenant, the landlord the current supplier, the pushy salesman ringing, knocking and emailing, the prospective new suppliers. That’s where Business Juice comes in, by working on your behalf, identifying your existing supply arrangements, reporting your change of tenancy, ensuring you are not held liable for costs not incurred before your occupation and benchmarking contracts for your selection we can help you save time, money and a whole lot of stress. With eSign service to agree our Evergreen Letter of Authority, we’ll take care of all correspondence, handle all the loose ends and enable you to focus on establishing your business in its new premise. And what’s more once your contract is in place we’ll manage your supplier relationship from beginning to end, all part of the Business Juice service.Business Juice Top Tip Always ensure that you take opening meter readings on the day, or as close as possible to the day, that you move into the premises to ensure that you only pay for the energy that you use.
Transparency
Your EDF Energy Invoice places the contract end date on the final page of the invoice, this is in the section entitled ‘Your account with us’. EDF Energy refer to this as the date your “tariff ends on”. If in doubt feel free to fax us your bill on 0845 387 5701 or send it to hello@businessjuice.co.uk and we will help locate the information for you. EDF sends their renewal letter to customers around 60 days in advance of the contract end date. This will contain EDF‘s proposal for your rates for the coming period. It may provide a variety of options or a single price. It will however not be the most competitive price available in the market as the renewal letter is designed for customers who don’t use an energy broker and as such are priced at a higher level than can be obtained in the market.Business Juice Top Tip Every Business Juice client receives a unique key facts statement detailing all there is to know about their energy contract including all the important dates relative to your deal. Sign up today and take control with Business Juice.
Terminating with EDF Energy
You are required by EDF Energy to provide written notice at least 30 days before your contract ends of your intent to terminate your contract at the end of its fixed period. If as an EDF Energy customer you leave early your contract you will be charged an early termination fee. This fee is based on the a p/kWh rate defined by your original contract length (Between 0.10p/kWh and 0.25p/kWh) multiplied by your annual consumption and then by the number of years for which your fixed period was originally agreed.Business Juice Top Tip Terminating your contract is key to gaining freedom of movement and having access to the best deals for your next business energy contract. It pays to always be aware of your termination obligations so as to ensure that you act as soon as conditions allow in order to help you get the best out of the business energy market. Or better still sign up for our evergreen letter of authority and we will terminate on your behalf well ahead of time and provide you with a range of market leading options at the right time to suit your business.
Rollover contracts and EDF Energy
EDF Energy operate a policy of selling auto-rollover contracts. If you fail to terminate your existing contract more than 30 days ahead of your contract end date you will be rolled over for a fixed term of 12 months. EDF Energy do however offer alternative contracts offering no exit fees and no auto-rollover in return for a variable price – which can change at 30 days notice. By using Business Juice you can avoid the costly mistakes of falling into the rollover trap and paying premium rates for 12 months or of being exposed to unnecessarily high variable rates. To find out more visit our Guide to Rollover Contracts. Terminating but remaining on supply with EDF Energy If you have provided termination notice to EDF Energy and expressed your intent for freedom of movement at contract end but you fail to leave EDF Energy’s supply you will be placed on EDF Energy’s out of contract rates. These charges will take effect if you remain on supply past your contract end date for 30 days or more. Don’t be caught out! By using Business Juice to manage your energy contracts we will terminate and manage your new contract seamlessly to ensure you avoid penalty rates. EDF Energy and Out of Contract Rates EDF Energy refer to their Out of Contract rates as ‘extended supply prices’. As at their release date of 29th April 2014, an EDF Energy customer with a standard meter would be required to pay up to 18.06p/kWh for each unit of electricity used whilst out of contract and a standing charge of 35.00p/day. For gas customers this would be 5.90p/kWh and 35p/day. Even one week exposed to this level of charges mounts up, that’s why clients taking our contract life management service makes sense: removing your exposure risk and letting you focus on your business confident in the knowledge that your energy contracts are in safe hands. To find out more visit our Guide to Out of Contract RatesConvenience
EDF Energy operate a Monthly, Fixed Direct Debit meaning the amount you pay directly relates to the consumption you provided at the point of contract. EDF also provides a 7% discount to Direct Debit customers. EDF Energy also offer cash/cheque payment terms. To find out more visit our Guide to Supplier Payment Terms. To find out if your business is eligible for paying the reduced rate of VAT on your business energy bill visit our Guide to VAT Declaration. Click here for EDF Energy’s VAT Declaration Certificate EDF Energy operate a policy of billing their customers on a quarterly basis. EDF Energy provide online billing functionality as standard within all of their contracts meaning the end of paper invoices for their customers whilst providing convenient access to their account data. Where to find your metering information on your EDF Energy bill Your EDF Energy Invoice places the meter point identifying S Number and MPRN on the second page of the invoice in the bottom left hand corner.Services
EDF Energy & Smart Meters In line with the mandated rollout of smart meters EDF Energy installs meters for Profile 05-08 electricity customers and gas customers consuming more than 732,000 kWh per annum. EDF Energy does not however currently install smart meters for Profile 03-04 customers and gas customers consuming less than 732,000 kWh per annum. EDF Energy also will inherit smart meters of all types but will not operate the meter to its full smart functionality. This means the meter will be treated as ‘dumb’ and will require manual meter reading. For more information on Suppliers’ policies on smart metering visit our Guide to Suppliers & Smart Meters. EDF Energy & New Connections and Upgrade services EDF Energy currently only offer new connections and upgrade services to customers when they take out a new 12, 24 or 36 month contract. If this doesn’t suit your requirements, to find out which suppliers meet your connections needs call us on 0800 051 5770. Go one step better and by appointing Business Juice to manage your energy contracts you can take advantage of our management fee free new connections and upgrades offer. EDF Energy & IGT Meters EDF Energy does not currently support meters supplied via IGT networks (Independent Gas Transporter). If your gas supply is delivered via an IGT network then EDF Energy cannot offer you a gas supply contract. To find out which suppliers meet your IGT needs call us on 0800 051 5770 EDF Energy & Supporting Meter Types EDF Energy support all electricity meter types including Half Hourly (HH), and standard profile, Maximum Demand (MD) & Seasonal Time of Day (STOD) meters.Environmental
EDF Energy provide renewable and green energy products within their portfolio. For the reporting period 2013/14, EDF Energy Customers plc and British Energy Direct Limited Fuel Mix was:- Coal: 26.8%
- Gas: 3.5%
- Nuclear: 56.1%
- Renewable: 13.5%
- Other sources: 0.1%
- And produced CO2 of 259g/kWh and High Level Radioactive Waste of 0.0045g/kWh
- Coal: 34.0%
- Gas: 25.6%
- Nuclear: 21.6%
- Renewable: 16.7%
- Other sources: 2.1%
- Producing CO2 of 428g/kWh and High Level Radioactive Waste of 0.0017g/kWh
Business Juice Top Tip By selecting a supplier with a fuel mix that suits your business’ environmental credentials you can gain access to a renewable solution without paying premium green prices. By using Business Juice we can match up your needs with appropriate the fuel mix and enable your business to take support renewable initiatives.