British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS)
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is a Government scheme to help eligible UK manufacturers reduce their electricity costs. If your business qualifies, you could benefit from exemptions from certain policy-related electricity costs, helping to reduce your energy bills and strengthen your competitiveness.
What is the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme?
Who can apply for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme?
When does the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme start?
How will this appear on my bill?
What is the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme?
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is a Government initiative that aims to reduce electricity costs for eligible manufacturing businesses.
From April 2027, eligible businesses may receive exemptions from the indirect costs of:
- Renewables Obligation (RO)
- Feed-in Tariffs (FiT)
- Capacity Market (CM)
The Government estimates this could reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour (MWh) for eligible businesses.
Who can apply for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme?
BICS is aimed at manufacturing businesses operating in eligible sectors.
To qualify, businesses must meet Government eligibility requirements, including:
- Being registered with Companies House
- Operating in an eligible manufacturing sector
- Manufacturing eligible products
- Meeting the minimum electricity usage requirements set by the scheme
Eligibility is determined by the Government, not by energy suppliers, like British Gas.
You can check whether your business may be eligible using the Government's BICS eligibility checker.
When does the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme start?
The scheme is expected to begin from April 2027.
Applications are due to open between 1 October 2026 and 30 November 2026. You’ll need to apply during this time.
Businesses approved through the application process will receive support in line with Government guidance.
How do I apply?
Applications must be made directly through the Government's BICS application process.
British Gas business can’t assess eligibility or submit applications on your behalf.
For information on eligibility, application requirements and supporting evidence, visit the Government guidance.
How will this appear on my bill?
If your business is approved for BICS, eligible exemptions will be applied in line with Government requirements.
We'll provide more information to eligible customers as further details become available.
Do I need to contact British Gas business?
No. If you believe your business may be eligible, you should apply directly through the Government's application process once applications open.
If your application is approved, the relevant information will be shared with us as part of the scheme administration process.
Frequently asked questions about the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme
Are all business customers eligible?
No. BICS is targeted at eligible manufacturing businesses that meet the Government's qualification criteria.
Can British Gas business tell me if I'm eligible?
No. Eligibility is assessed by the Government using the criteria set out within the scheme guidance.
What should I do if I think I'm eligible for BICS but my application is unsuccessful?
Eligibility for BICS is determined by the UK Government. If you believe your business is eligible but your application is unsuccessful, you should review the eligibility criteria and guidance on the Government's BICS website. If you want to query or dispute an eligibility decision, please follow the contact and support information provided by the Government.
Do I need to reapply every year?
The Government may require ongoing declarations or reviews during the eligibility period. Please refer to the latest Government guidance for details.
Will I automatically receive the discount?
No. Eligible businesses must apply to the scheme and receive approval before any exemptions can be applied.
Where can I find more information?
You can find the latest guidance, eligibility requirements and application information on the Government website:
Additional information
The information on this page is based on current Government guidance for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) as of 14th September 2026. Details may change as the scheme develops.
