In short
Business energy contract renewal starts in the switching window, which Ofgem says opens a few months before a fixed contract ends. That is when you can renew, compare or move, sometimes without an exit fee. If you do nothing, many contracts roll onto a new fixed term, usually 12 months, or onto out-of-contract rates.
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Tell us your premises, meters and renewal date and we will reply by email with options.
How the renewal window works
Ofgem says fixed-rate business energy contracts include a switching window: a set period before the contract ends in which you can renew with your supplier or tell it you intend to leave. Ofgem says the window opens a few months before the end of the contract and that you can sometimes switch during it without paying a fee.
The exact window, any notice you must give and how to give it are set by your contract, not by a single industry rule. So the first job is to find three dates and keep them somewhere your business will see them:
- Contract end date: the last day of the current fixed term, for each electricity and gas supply
- Window opening date: when the contract lets you renew or arrange a move
- Notice deadline: the last date to give any notice your contract requires, if it requires one
Multi-site businesses often find their supplies end on different dates. Renewal is a chance to line them up so future renewals are easier to manage; ask about co-terminating dates when you compare quotes.
What your supplier must tell you if you are a microbusiness
Ofgem gives microbusinesses extra protections when arranging or renewing a contract. A microbusiness has fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet of no more than 2 million pounds, or uses up to 100,000 kWh of electricity or 293,000 kWh of gas a year. If that is you, your supplier must:
- Provide information about renewal prices before your contract ends
- Give you clear information about your contract
- Limit termination notice periods to 30 days, on evergreen contracts
- Acknowledge a request to end a contract within 5 working days, on evergreen contracts
Since 1 October 2022 suppliers also cannot require a microbusiness to give notice of its intent to switch, except on evergreen contracts. Our microbusiness energy rules page covers every protection. Larger businesses should read the renewal clause in their contract closely, because the notice terms can differ.
What happens if you do nothing
If a fixed contract ends without a new agreement and you have not switched, Ofgem describes two common outcomes, depending on the supplier and the contract:
| Outcome | What Ofgem says | Can you leave? |
|---|---|---|
| Rollover (evergreen) contract | Some contracts renew automatically for a new fixed term, usually 12 months, and the new term may be on a higher rate | Depends on the rollover terms; microbusinesses on evergreen contracts have a 30-day cap on termination notice |
| Out-of-contract rates | Some suppliers move you onto out-of-contract rates, which are usually more expensive than fixed-term contracts | Yes, Ofgem says you can switch at any time |
Neither outcome is a disaster, but both mean paying a price you did not choose. Our guides to out-of-contract rates and how to get out of a business energy contract explain what to do if you have already rolled over.
Not sure which option suits you? Ask us
Tell us about your premises and usage and we will explain the options that fit.
How to compare a renewal offer
A renewal letter from your supplier is a quote like any other. To judge it fairly:
- Check what has changed. Compare the new unit rates and standing charges with your current ones, line by line, for each supply.
- Check the term. A longer fix gives budget certainty for longer but delays your next chance to compare.
- Check the end terms. What happens at the end of the new contract: rollover, out-of-contract rates or something else?
- Check broker costs. If a broker is involved, the principal terms must show the broker costs. Since 1 October 2024 that applies to all non-domestic contracts.
- Price the alternatives on the same basis. Same consumption, same start date, same length, so the renewal offer and the alternatives are genuinely comparable.
Ofgem says the best option may be with your current supplier. Comparing tells you whether it is. Our guide on how to find the cheapest business energy contract covers the criteria in more detail, and fixed vs flexible business energy helps larger users decide how to buy.
When to start
There is no single right day, because wholesale prices move and no one can tell you in advance when they will be lower. What we can say is practical:
- Start once your window opens, so you have time to gather bills, get quotes and read terms without a deadline pressing
- Allow time for any credit checks before your notice deadline
- If your business is seasonal, avoid renewing in the busiest weeks when nobody has time to read a contract
- If you are moving premises before the end date, read our change of tenancy guide first
Quotes do not last indefinitely. Fidelity Energy's terms say suppliers can revise or withdraw a quotation and that how long a quotation is valid varies by supplier, so once you have the figures, decide in good time.
Want this looked at for your premises?
Tell us your sites, meters and renewal dates and we will reply by email with options.
How we help with renewals
Forever Communications works as an agent of Fidelity Energy. With your authority, Fidelity Energy can check your existing contract position with your current supplier, price your supplies across its panel of 24+ suppliers (its figure) and present the quotes alongside your renewal offer. We help you read them: rates, standing charges, term, exit terms and the commission included.
Fidelity Energy is normally paid commission by the supplier you choose, included in your rates, and Forever Communications receives a share of it; the energy broker fees page explains how. Remember that accepting a renewal or a new quote is binding, because there is no cooling-off period for business energy.
Contact us with your contract end date and a recent bill for each supply, and we can help you plan the renewal.
Frequently asked questions
When should I renew my business energy contract?
Once your switching window opens, which Ofgem says is a few months before a fixed contract ends. Starting then gives you time to compare quotes, read the terms and complete the supplier's checks before any notice deadline in your contract.
What happens if my business energy contract ends and I do nothing?
Depending on your supplier and contract, you may roll onto a new fixed term, usually 12 months and possibly at a higher rate, or move to out-of-contract rates, which Ofgem says are usually more expensive than a fixed-term contract.
Does my supplier have to tell me my renewal prices?
If you are a microbusiness, yes: Ofgem requires suppliers to provide renewal price information before your contract ends. Larger businesses should check the renewal clause in their contract.
Can I renew with my current supplier through a broker?
Yes. Fidelity Energy's terms cover helping you renegotiate with your existing supplier as well as arranging a switch. You can also put your supplier's renewal offer alongside the quotes from Fidelity Energy's panel and compare them on the same basis; Ofgem says the best option may be with your current supplier.
Is accepting a renewal offer binding?
Yes. There is no cooling-off period once you agree a business energy contract, including a renewal, so read the terms before you accept.
Still have a question about business energy renewal?
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