Business Gas & Electricity from Scottish Power
Spanish owned Scottish Power has a range of different business electricity and gas tariffs to suit businesses of any size.
Scottish Power is part of the Iberdrola Group, a global energy company and world leader in wind energy.
The Scottish Power Checklist
Security
- Are their prices fully fixed? Yes for gas contracts, No for electricity contracts
- Do they include metering and transportation costs in the price? Yes
- Do they include FIT and RO and CFD in the price? FIT and CFD are not included in the price
- What is their back billing policy? Limited to two 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? Yes
- 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? No
- How high are the out of contract rates? 16p/kWh electricity and 5.5p/kWh gas
Convenience
- Do they mandate Direct Debit payment terms? Yes
- What are their Direct Debit terms? Variable, Monthly
- Do they offer Cash / Cheque payment terms? No
- Do they support reduced rate VAT declaration? Yes
- Do they bill monthly or quarterly? Monthly
- 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? Some
- Do they provide New Connection & Upgrade Services? Yes
- Do they support IGT meters? No
- Do they support all electricity profiles including half hourly? Do not support STOD meters
- Do they support related and aggregated meters? Support related not aggregated meters
Environmental
- Do they offer green and renewable products? Yes
- What is their Fuel Mix? 32.6% Gas, 1.1% Nuclear, 48.6% Coal, 16.9% Renewable
Other things to know about Scottish Power
The Glasgow based business:- Offers Fixed and Flexible priced contracts;
- Offers Renewable energy contracts;
- Has electricity products dedicated to specific sized businesses;
- Has no minimum annual consumption for its products;
- Will only welcome customers with a credit score (Delphi) of 31 or more; For Maximum Demand (high user) customers this increases to 46;
- Has the ability to manage accounts online;
- Provides free energy efficiency advice;
- Has limited their maximum Back billing period limited to 12 months;
- Requires just 30 days notice to end a Fixed term contract at contract end;
- Operates UK based call centres;
- Has a good customer service reputation;
- Offers compatibility with the common BGlobal smart meter;
- Publish your contract end date on their invoice and the date at which you must have terminated by in order to leave their supply at contract end
Security
Scottish Power’s latest contract terms
Click on the following link to access Scottish Power’s latest contract terms for business energy customers:- Scottish Power Electricity Fixed T&C’s
- Scottish Power Electricity Variable T&C’s
- Scottish Power Gas Fixed T&C’s
- Scottish Power Gas Variable T&C’s
Are Scottish Power’s contracts fully fixed?
Scottish Power operates a policy of fully fixing all elements of their fixed contracts; this includes all third party charges. This is a market leading position and means that when you agree a contract with Scottish Power 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 (Electricity only) RO: Inclusive, Fixed (Electricity only) CFD: Inclusive, Fixed (Electricity only)
Scottish Power reserves the right to amend the terms of the contract in exceptional circumstances. These include:- Where the customer fails to fulfil their obligations under the contract.
- Where gas customers fail to use the stated consumption under the terms of the contract.
Back billing and Scottish Power
ScottishPower is signed up to the Energy UK Back Billing standards and currently limits micro business back billing to two years. Many suppliers have 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. Scottish Power are therefore moving to a policy in line with the stronger suppliers in this area. To find out more visit our Guide to Back billing.Scottish Power and Letters of Authority
In order to act on your behalf in securing your business a great energy deal Scottish Power 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 Scottish Power
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.eSign – Fast, Convenient Online Approval
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. 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
Where to find your contract end date on your Scottish Power bill
Your Scottish Power Invoice places the contract end date on the first page of the invoice, this is the summary page and the date is located at the bottom. In addition the date by which termination is required to ensure freedom of movement at contract end it also presented in this section. This is referred to as the “Fixed Price Period End Date”. Not all suppliers do this. 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.When to expect your Scottish Power renewal letter
Scottish Power sends their renewal letter to customers around 60 days in advance of the contract end date. This will contain Scottish Power‘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 Scottish Power
From 31st March 2014, Scottish Power allowed micro business’ termination to be served at any point from the start of the contact however this must be no later than 30 days before your contract ends. For non-micro business customers on a Fixed Electricity or Gas contract, Scottish Power require that you terminate within a limited 60-day window. This is to be no earlier than 90 days before your contract ends and no later than 30 days before your contract ends.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 Scottish Power
Scottish Power stopped selling auto-rollover contracts for new micro business customers from April 2014 and for existing customers from 1st December 2014. However they operate a number of different options and policies depending on the circumstances arising. This can be confusing. Whatever category your business falls into it makes sense to use Business Juice to ensure you are not stranded on uncompetitive rates even for a limited period. To find out more visit our Guide to Rollover Contracts.Micro Business contracts sold before 1st December 2014
Any contract sold before this point and still running will be subject to an auto-rollover clause. For those customers 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. By using Business Juice you can avoid the costly mistake of falling into the rollover trap and paying premium rates for 12 months. To find out more visit our Guide to Rollover Contracts.Micro Business contracts sold after 1st December 2014 – No termination
For micro business customers sold after 1st December 2014, if you miss the 30 day window Scottish Power when your contract comes to an end, if you have not contacted Scottish Power or have not accepted their renewal offers you will simply be placed on their ‘”Out of contract” rates. The “Out of contract” rates will be more expensive than a “Fixed Price Plan” but you will be allowed to leave once you have provided the requisite 30 days notice. Of course it makes sense not to get to this point in the first place and so contracting well in advance is always recommended as even a short term stay on a “Out of contract” rates will be significantly more expensive than other options. At least however you can be safe in the knowledge that if you do make a mistake and fail to contract properly the cost of your error can be minimised. However by using Business Juice you can avoid the potentially costly mistake of being exposed to variable rates. To find out more visit our Guide to Rollover Contracts.Micro Business contracts sold after 1st December 2014 – Termination provided
Where as a micro business customers sold after 1st December 2014 you provide the required 30 day termination notice to Scottish Power you will be provided with three options:“Opt In” to a new fixed plan
“Opt In” to a new fixed plan – This is in effect a continuation of a rollover contract however it offers according to Scottish Power their “best direct prices”. You must have opted in to take up this option. Once done, when your contract comes to an end you will automatically be put onto a fixed term contract for 12 months. We would not recommend this option as it will not be the cheapest available on the market and restricts your options at contract end.
Move onto a new “standard fixed tariff”
If you don’t opt in to the fixed plan, and we would recommend not to, or if you fail to terminate, you will be moved onto this (higher) fixed price contract for 12 months, however you can leave at any time as long as you have provided and served 30 days notice. Prices will be higher than the “opt in” option however the freedom of movement minimises any exposure.
Move onto the “standard variable tariff”
If you terminate but do not switch away from Scottish Power or your switch away is delayed, you will be put onto these variable rates until your switch completes.
We would recommend using your rights to not opt in to a fixed price plan to enable freedom of movement at contract end. By working with Business Juice you can be sure of receiving a range of market leading options at the right time to suit your business.
To find out more visit our Guide to Rollover Contracts.Non Micro Business contracts
Scottish Power operate a policy of selling auto-rollover contracts for non micro business customers. If you fail to terminate your existing contract between 90 and 30 days ahead of your contract end date you will be rolled over for a fixed term of 12 months. By using Business Juice you can avoid the costly mistake of falling into the rollover trap and paying premium rates for 12 monthsTerminating but remaining on supply with Scottish Power
If you have provided termination notice to Scottish Power and expressed your intent for freedom of movement at contract end but you fail to leave Scottish Power’s supply you will be placed on Scottish Power out of contract rates. 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.Scottish Power and Out of Contract Rates
A Scottish Power electricity customer with a standard meter would be required to pay 16.0p/kWh for each unit of electricity used whilst out of contract and a standing charge of 46.00p/day. For a Scottish Power gas customer the out of contract rate would be 5.5p/kWh and 25.00p/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
What payment terms does Scottish Power offer?
Scottish Power operate a Monthly, Variable Direct Debit meaning the amount you pay directly relates to the volume of energy you consume in the month. Scottish Power also offer a quarterly variable option however this attracts a 5% surcharge. Scottish Power does not offer cash/cheque payment terms. To find out more visit our Guide to Supplier Payment Terms.How to claim the reduced VAT rate for your Scottish Power bill
- Click here for Scottish Power’s VAT declaration certificate.
- 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.
When to expect your bill from Scottish Power
Scottish Power operate a policy of billing their customers on a monthly basis however they do also offer the option of quarterly billing albeit at a 5% surcharge. Scottish Power 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. Your Scottish Power Invoice places the meter point identifying S Number on the third page of the invoice, the S Number is located on the middle left hand side underneath the “Energy charges this period” section and opposite the “Total electricity charges” subtotal. Similarly your gas meter point reference number, the MPRN, can be found on the third page of the invoice, located on the middle left hand side underneath the “Gas charges this period” section and opposite the “Total gas charges” subtotal. 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.Services
Scottish Power & Smart Meters
In line with the mandated rollout of smart meters Scottish Power installs meters for Profile 05-08 electricity customers and gas customers consuming more than 732,000 kWh per annum. Scottish Power does not however currently install smart meters for Profile 03-04 customers and gas customers consuming less than 732,000 kWh per annum. Also Scottish Power will inherit smart meters of some types and will continue to operate the meter with its full smart functionality. This is done at no extra cost to you. If a smart meter has not been provided by Bglobal Metering, Scottish Power will not support the meter’s smart functionality. This means the meter will be treated as ‘dumb’ and will require manual meter reading. To find out which suppliers meet your smart metering 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 smart meter offers. For more information on Suppliers’ policies on smart metering visit our Guide to Suppliers & Smart Meters.Scottish Power & New Connections and Upgrade services
Scottish Power currently only offer new connections and upgrade services to customers in their host regions when they take out a new 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.Scottish Power & IGT Meters
Scottish Power does not currently support meters supplied via IGT networks (Independent Gas Transporter). If your gas supply is delivered via an IGT network then Scottish Power cannot offer you a gas supply contract. To find out which suppliers meet your IGT needs call us on 0800 051 5770.Scottish Power & Supporting Meter Types
Scottish Power support all meter types including Half Hourly (HH), Maximum Demand (MD), Seasonal Time of Day (STOD) and standard profile meters as well as ‘related’ and ‘aggregated’ meters. This means whatever metering system you have, as long as it is not supplied via an IGT network, Scottish Power can support it.Environmental
Scottish Power provide renewable and green energy products within their portfolio. For the reporting period 2013/14, Scottish Power’s Fuel Mix was:- Coal: 48.6%
- Gas: 32.6%
- Nuclear: 1.1%
- Renewable: 16.9%
- Other sources: 0.8%
- And produced CO2 of 580g/kWh and High Level Radioactive Waste of 0.0001g/kWh
- Coal: 34.0%
- Gas: 25.6%
- Nuclear: 21.6%
- Renewable: 16.7%
- Other sources: 2.1%
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.To find out more visit our Guide to Fuel Mix.