Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) FAQs

• What is the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS)?

  This scheme follows the previous Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) and aims to support commercial customers with the increasing cost of energy use and protect them against the rising price of wholesale energy. Under the scheme, the government provides a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices for non-domestic customers whose current gas and electricity prices have been significantly inflated in light of global energy prices.
  
  This support will be the commercial equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee put in place for households. Government support will only be added to bills if the price being charged for energy exceeds the government's set threshold.

• Who does this scheme apply to?

  The scheme applies to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations of all sizes who are:
  • on variable ‘day ahead’ tariffs e.g. any Power NI customers who pay an Energy Price Adjustment on their bill
  • on flexible purchase contracts
  • signing new fixed price contracts
  
  The scheme also applies to existing fixed price contracts that were agreed on or after 1 December 2021, however Power NI has undertaken a review of their Fixed Price Contract customers and none of these customers will be entitled to a rebate under this scheme due to the levels pre-determined by the UK Government.

• How will the scheme work?

  Eligible non-domestic consumers will receive a per-unit discount to their energy bills during the 12-month period from April 2023 to March 2024, subject to a maximum discount. For most non-domestic energy users in Northern Ireland, the maximum discount for electricity has been set at £19.61 per megawatt hour (MWh) with a price threshold of £302 per MWh.
  
  Please note that government support will be given to the energy component of bills only i.e. pass-throughs and other charges are not supported. Government support will be added as a retrospective adjustment, so we will not know how bills will be impacted until each month end.
  
  Government support will only be added to bills if the price being charged for energy exceeds the government's set threshold. For those customers who pay an Energy Price Adjustment, this will also be recalculated accordingly.
  
  For most non-domestic energy users in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, these threshold prices and maximum discounts have been set at:

  • electricity - £19.61 per megawatt hour (MWh) with a price threshold of £302 per MWh.
  • gas - £6.97 per megawatt hour (MWh) a price threshold of £107 per MWh

• Do I have to register to receive this bill support?

  Any customers eligible for the baseline discount do not need to sign up to the scheme or take any action. The reductions, which will be in pence per kilowatt hour (p/kWh), will be applied to bills automatically by Power NI if applicable.

  However, businesses and organisations who are eligible for the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) discount or the Heat Network discount will have to register to get support on the UK Government website.

• I think I am eligible for the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII) discount – where can I find more information, and how can I apply?

  You can find all relevant information on the UK Government website.

  Please note: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is currently awaiting approval from the European Commission on the ETII element of the Northern Ireland scheme. For ETIIs in Northern Ireland who sell or manufacture goods, subsidies are subject to Article 10 of the Windsor Framework. Therefore, the UK Government is unable to issue certificates to these entities until this approval has been received. They will provide an update on timings in due course. Eligible organisations who are not subject to the Windsor Framework (eg., museums), will be eligible to receive support from Day 1.
  
  The UK Government would encourage NI ETIIs to still apply from 26th April, however, they will not be able to issue certificates to eligible NI ETIIs (who are subject to State Aid principles) until approval has been received from the European Commission.

  
  

For more information

Please visit the gov.uk website for more details on the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS).

For commercial tariff customers who wish to apply for the £600 Energy Bills Support Scheme and Alternative Fuel Payment, you can check if you’re eligible and find the online application form here on the GOV.UK website. Alternatively, you can call the UK Government’s NI customer support team on 0808 175 3894. Phone lines are open Monday-Friday, 8am to 6pm.