SSE Energy Out of Contract Rates
Are you paying more than you should?
When your SSE contract expires, you automatically move to Variable Business Rates (VBR). These rates are significantly higher than competitive fixed-rate contracts — and they can change at any time.
💸 THE COST OF STAYING ON VARIABLE RATES
The only way to know your actual saving is to compare quotes. No obligation, takes 2 minutes.
*In almost all cases, we find a cheaper fixed-rate contract than SSE VBR. If we can't, we'll tell you straight. Actual savings vary by usage, location, and meter type.
🔍 Quick Check: Are You Affected?
Select the option that best describes your situation:
⚠️ You're likely paying VBR right now
Without an active fixed contract, SSE automatically charges Variable Business Rates. At up to 70% above market rates, you could be overpaying by thousands per year. The good news: you can switch immediately with no exit fees.
Get My Free Quote →⏰ Act now to avoid VBR
You have a window to secure a competitive fixed rate before your contract expires. Most switches complete in 2-5 days. Don't wait until the last minute — get quotes now and you'll have options ready.
Get My Free Quote →📋 Let's check your situation
If you've been with SSE without actively renewing, there's a good chance you're on VBR. Check your latest bill — look for "Variable Business Rate" or compare your unit rate to the tables below. Or simply upload your bill and we'll review it for free.
How to Check Your Bill →✓ Smart planning
While you're covered now, bookmark this page. When your contract renewal comes up, you'll know exactly what rates to avoid. Set a reminder 3 months before your contract ends to start comparing.
See Current VBR Rates →📄 How to Check If You're on VBR
Look for "Variable Business Rate"
Check your tariff description. If it says VBR, Variable, or doesn't mention a fixed term, you're on out-of-contract rates.
Check your contract end date
If it's blank, in the past, or you can't find one — you're almost certainly on variable rates.
Compare your unit rate
Scroll down to see SSE's published VBR rates. If your rate matches or exceeds these, you're on VBR.
Not sure? Send us your bill and we'll review it for free — plus show you what you could save.
Get My Free Quote →⚡ Current SSE Variable Business Rates
Effective October 2025 · Rates exclude VAT and CCL
Most Common Rates
These are the rates most small-to-medium businesses pay. If you have specialist metering (half-hourly, high voltage), expand the full tables.
⚡ Electricity — Standard Business (NHH Unrestricted)
| Tariff | Unit Rate | Standing Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Single Rate (All Day) | 37.75p per kWh | £2.85 per day |
🔥 Gas — Standard Business (EUC Band 1-2)
| Consumption Band | Unit Rate | Standing Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 293,000 kWh/year | 10.86p per kWh (quarterly billing) | £3.12 per day |
These are the most common tariffs. Your actual rate may differ based on meter type and profile class.
Complex Tariff Structure
SSE's electricity rates vary by profile class, meter type, and voltage level. Your actual rate depends on your specific meter setup.
⚡ Non Half-Hourly (NHH) Electricity
| Tariff Type | Profile Class | Unit Rate(s) | Standing Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | PC 1 or 3 | 37.75p all day | £2.85 per day |
| Day/Night | PC 2 or 4 | 38.38p day 31.44p night | £2.92 per day |
| Evening/Weekend/Night | PC 1-4 | 40.25p weekday 32.94p eve/wknd | £2.85 per day |
| Off-Peak Only | PC 1-4 | 31.32p off-peak | £2.62 per day |
| Unrestricted | PC 5-8 | 35.71p all day | £7.00 per day |
| Day/Night | PC 5-8 | 36.85p day 32.07p night | £7.00 per day |
⚡ Half-Hourly (HH) Electricity — Measurement Class C & E
| Tariff Type | Unit Rate(s) | Standing Charge | Capacity Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| HH Unrestricted LV/LVS | 32.73p per kWh | £23.98 per day | 158.00p per kVA/month |
| HH Unrestricted HV | 31.06p per kWh | £125.16 per day | 334.28p per kVA/month |
| HH Day/Night LV/LVS | 33.24p day 30.03p night | £23.98 per day | 157.86p per kVA/month |
| HH Day/Night HV | 31.29p day 29.13p night | £125.16 per day | 334.28p per kVA/month |
⚡ Half-Hourly 7-Rate STOD (Seasonal Time of Day) — LV/LVS
| Time Period | Unit Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nov & Feb Peak | 58.52p per kWh | Highest rate period |
| Dec & Jan Peak | 56.75p per kWh | Winter peak |
| Nov & Feb Weekday | 34.72p per kWh | — |
| Dec & Jan Weekday | 33.76p per kWh | — |
| Mar–Oct Weekday | 33.92p per kWh | — |
| Evening & Weekend | 31.87p per kWh | — |
| Night | 30.03p per kWh | Lowest rate period |
STOD standing charge: £23.98/day | Capacity: 157.86p/kVA/month
Gas Rates by EUC Band
SSE's gas rates are determined by your End User Category (EUC) band, based on annual consumption. Larger sites (Bands 4-9) receive individual pricing.
🔥 Gas Variable Business Rates
| EUC Band | Annual Consumption | Unit Rate | Standing Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1 (Quarterly) | 0 – 73,200 kWh | 10.86p per kWh | £3.12 per day |
| Band 1 (Monthly) | 0 – 73,200 kWh | 11.03p per kWh | £3.12 per day |
| Band 2 (Quarterly) | 73,201 – 293,000 kWh | 10.86p per kWh | £3.12 per day |
| Band 2 (Monthly) | 73,201 – 293,000 kWh | 11.03p per kWh | £3.12 per day |
| Band 3 | 293,001 – 732,000 kWh | 9.92p per kWh | £9.62 per day |
EUC Bands 4-9 — Priority Customers
SSE does not publish standard VBR rates for larger gas supplies (>732,000 kWh annually). These sites receive individual pricing.
📋 EUC Band Reference
| Band | Annual Consumption Range | VBR Available? |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 | 1 – 73,200 kWh | ✓ Yes |
| Band 2 | 73,201 – 293,000 kWh | ✓ Yes |
| Band 3 | 293,001 – 732,000 kWh | ✓ Yes |
| Band 4 | 732,001 – 2,196,000 kWh | Individual pricing |
| Bands 5-9 | >2,196,000 kWh | Individual pricing |
All rates exclude VAT and CCL (Climate Change Levy). Prices subject to change.
FiT Rates Billed Separately
SSE bills Feed-in Tariff (FiT) costs separately from your unit rate. The rate you see quoted may not include this charge. When comparing suppliers, account for FiT to get an accurate comparison.
📥 Download Official Rate Schedule
Get SSE's complete Variable Business Rates document with all tariff configurations.
📄 SSE VBR October 2025 PDF💰 Calculate Your SSE Variable Business Costs
See what you're paying on VBR. Includes CCL and VAT.
Find this on your latest bill — we've used 25,000 kWh as an example
Your Applicable Rate
0.00 p/kWh
Annual Cost
£ 0.00
Monthly Average
£ 0.00
Cost Breakdown
⚠️ Note: This uses NHH Unrestricted electricity or the appropriate gas band. Your actual rate may differ. FiT charges not included.
👆 Enter your consumption above to calculate
🚀 How Switching Works
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On VBR? You can switch immediately — no exit fees, no penalties.
Get My Free Quote →Stop Paying Variable Rates
SSE's VBR can be up to 70% higher than fixed alternatives. Compare quotes and lock in budget certainty today.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Variable Business Rates (VBR) are SSE's out-of-contract rates that automatically apply when your fixed-term contract expires. Unlike fixed rates, VBR can change at any time based on market conditions, meaning your costs are unpredictable. Most businesses find they pay significantly more on VBR than they would with a competitive fixed-rate contract.
SSE's electricity pricing depends on several factors: your profile class (PC 1-8), meter type (NHH or HH), voltage level (LV, LVS, or HV), and whether you have time-of-use metering. Profile classes 1-4 are typically smaller businesses, while 5-8 are larger consumers. Half-hourly meters allow for more complex pricing structures like seasonal time-of-day (STOD) rates.
The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) is a government scheme that supports renewable energy generation. SSE bills this cost separately from your unit rate, which can cause confusion when comparing quotes. Always ask for the total cost including FiT when evaluating SSE contracts, as the headline rate may not tell the full story.
Yes. Being on Variable Business Rates means you're not tied to a fixed-term contract. You can switch suppliers at any time without exit fees or penalties. The switch typically takes 2-5 working days if there are no objections or outstanding payments with SSE.
End User Category (EUC) bands are based on your Annual Quantity (AQ) — your expected yearly gas consumption. SSE publishes standard VBR rates for Bands 1-3 (up to 732,000 kWh). Larger users in Bands 4-9 are classified as "priority customers" and receive individual pricing rather than standard rates.
SSE has strong renewable credentials — 64% of their energy mix comes from renewable sources, well above the UK average of 43.2%. However, being on VBR means you're paying premium rates. Other suppliers offer competitive fixed rates with similar or better green credentials.
Our service is completely free to you. We're paid commission by energy suppliers, which is fully disclosed in your contract. We often access better wholesale rates than suppliers offer direct, meaning you can get lower prices through us even with our commission included.
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