British Gas Business
UK's largest business energy supplier since 1812
Our independent review of British Gas Business — the Big Six supplier now offering 90% zero-carbon electricity as standard. We cover their fixed and flexible contracts, Energy360® tools, green credentials, and help you decide if they're right for your business.
Big Six Energy Supplier • Part of Centrica
Smart Energy Company works with British Gas Business as a partner supplier. This is an honest review to help UK businesses make informed decisions. We may earn a commission if you switch through us. Last updated: 16 December 2025
What Sets British Gas Business Apart?
Key highlights from the UK's most established business energy supplier
UK's Largest
Big Six supplier since 1812, serving 400K+ businesses — the trusted name in UK energy
90% Zero Carbon
Zero-carbon electricity as standard — 55% nuclear plus 35% renewable on all new contracts
Energy360® DataView
Free tool to view, analyse and optimise your energy usage — now available to all customers
Smart Meter Ready
Half-hourly readings for accurate billing, MHHS compliant — pay only for what you use
Want the full picture? Keep reading below, or skip ahead.
About British Gas Business
British Gas Business is part of Centrica plc and is the UK's largest and oldest energy supplier. With roots stretching back to 1812 when the Gas Light and Coke Company was founded in London, they've been powering British homes and businesses for over 200 years — making them one of the most established names in the energy industry.
British Gas became the British Gas Corporation in 1973, was privatised in 1986, and now operates as British Gas (England & Wales) and Scottish Gas north of the border. Today, they serve over 400,000 UK businesses — from micro-enterprises to multi-site corporations — as one of the "Big Six" energy suppliers.
"At British Gas we've been looking after the homes of Britain for years — and from our earliest beginnings we've had one aim in mind: to serve British homes and businesses, and find new ways to make life at home better."
British Gas Business offers three main products: standard fixed and variable contracts for SMEs, British Gas Lite(launched 2018) for cost-conscious small businesses wanting online-only management, and flexible contracts for large energy users (1GWh+) requiring wholesale market access and bespoke risk management.
Beyond energy supply, British Gas also provides smart meter installations, EV charging infrastructure, commercial HVAC services, and boiler maintenance. In November 2025, Ofgem appointed British Gas as the Supplier of Last Resort for Tomato Energy customers — demonstrating their role as a backstop for the UK energy market.
Company Details
Products & Tariffs
British Gas Business offers fixed, flexible and online-only contracts — with 90% zero-carbon electricity as standard on all new agreements.
Fixed Price Plans
Most PopularLock in your unit rate and standing charge for the entire contract term. 1-4 year terms available with 7% Direct Debit discount.
- Zero Carbon electricity included
- 1, 2, 3 or 4 year terms
- 7% Direct Debit discount
British Gas Lite
Online OnlyLower-cost online-only product for small businesses. Fixed tariffs with smart meter readings, Variable Direct Debit, and dedicated web chat support.
- Lower prices than standard BG
- Pay for what you use
- Smart meter required
Variable Price Plan
Flexible RatesRates move with wholesale market conditions. No exit fees — leave when you want. 30 days' notice before any rate changes.
- No exit fees
- 30 days' notice on changes
- Benefit when prices fall
Flexible Contracts
Large Users (1GWh+)Wholesale market-reflective pricing with tailored risk management solutions. Dedicated account management and sustainability support.
- Wholesale market access
- Bespoke risk management
- Dedicated account manager
Energy360® DataView
Free ToolFree energy management tool available to all British Gas business customers. View, analyse and optimise your energy usage at no extra cost.
- Real-time usage tracking
- Analyse consumption patterns
- Optimise energy efficiency
100% Renewable Electricity Offer
Start or renew any energy plan by 31 March 2026 and get 100% Natural Renewable Electricity at no extra cost — backed by REGOs.
Dual fuel supplier — British Gas offers both electricity and gas. Smart meter installation available for accurate half-hourly billing.
Is British Gas Business Right for You?
An honest look at who they're best suited for — and when you might want to compare alternatives.
Good fit if...
- You value the security and stability of a Big Six supplier with 200+ years history
- Green credentials matter — you want 90% zero-carbon electricity as standard
- You manage multiple sites and need consolidated billing with dedicated account support
- You're a large energy user (1GWh+) wanting wholesale market access
- You want smart meter installation and accurate half-hourly billing
- You want free energy management tools like Energy360® DataView
Compare alternatives if...
- Rock-bottom pricing is your only priority — smaller suppliers may undercut
- You want more personalised, boutique service rather than corporate scale
- You've had frustrating experiences with large supplier call centres before
- You need 100% renewable gas as well as electricity
- You're on a very short tenancy and don't want any fixed-term commitment
- You prefer a smaller supplier where you feel like a valued customer
Our view: British Gas is ideal for businesses wanting Big Six reliability and strong green credentials. For price-first buyers, compare against smaller independents.
Green Credentials
British Gas supplies 90% zero-carbon electricity as standard — nearly 4x cleaner than UK average
Electricity Supply
90% Zero Carbon90% zero-carbon electricity as standard on all new contracts. Just 53g CO₂/kWh vs UK average of 205g — nearly 4x cleaner than typical supply.
Gas Supply
Natural GasStandard natural gas supply. Not carbon-neutral, but British Gas are investing in green gas and hydrogen projects for the future.
Electricity Sources (2024/25)
| Metric | British Gas Business |
|---|---|
| Nuclear | 55% |
| Renewables | 35% |
| Natural Gas | 8% |
| Coal | 1% |
| Other fuels | 1% |
| CO₂ emissions | 53g/kWh |
| Zero Carbon % | 90% |
Fuel mix disclosure April 2024 – March 2025
100% Natural Renewable Electricity available free on request until 31 March 2026
Weekly Energy Market Recaps
Stay on top of weekly market trends
Get a comprehensive 5–7 day breakdown of UK gas and electricity market movements, price trends, and what it means for your renewal strategy. Updated every Friday with forward contract analysis and expert forecasting.
Latest Insights on British Gas Business
See our latest blogs on British Gas Business to keep in the know and up to date!
Contact British Gas Business
How to reach their customer service team directly
Phone
Live Chat
Via website
britishgas.co.uk/business
Online Account
Self-service portal
Bills, readings & payments
Our honest take on support
As a Big Six supplier, British Gas has extensive customer service infrastructure but you may experience longer wait times compared to smaller suppliers. Their online account and live chat are often quicker than phone. For urgent issues, their social media team on X (@BritishGasUKB) can be responsive.
What Customers Say
"We have 12 sites across the Midlands and British Gas Business has made consolidated billing so much easier. Our account manager is responsive and the online portal works well for tracking usage across all locations."
— Property Management Co."Switched from a smaller supplier for the peace of mind. Yes, British Gas might be slightly more expensive but the stability and knowing they won't go bust is worth it for my restaurant business."
— James T, Restaurant Owner"The 90% zero-carbon electricity was a big selling point for our B-Corp certification. Good to have proper documentation for our sustainability reporting. Energy360 tool is useful too."
— Sarah M, Marketing Agency"Reliable service overall but phone wait times can be frustrating. Had to wait 25 mins to speak to someone about a billing query. Live chat was quicker. The actual energy supply has been fine though."
— David K, Retail"Smart meter installation was quick and professional. Now we can see exactly what we're using and bills are accurate. No more estimated readings or surprise catch-up bills. Worth switching for that alone."
— Helen R, Office Manager"Decent service but not the cheapest. Got quotes from smaller suppliers that were 8-10% lower. Stayed with BG for the stability but if you're purely price-driven, shop around. They know they're a premium brand."
— Mike S, Warehouse"Had ongoing billing issues that took months to resolve. Every time I called, had to explain the situation from scratch. Eventually sorted but shouldn't have taken 4 months and multiple complaints."
— Paul W, Manufacturing"Missed the renewal window and ended up on deemed rates which were extortionate. Yes, partly my fault for not acting sooner, but the rate jump was huge. Use a broker to stay on top of renewals."
— Lisa C, Salon OwnerNote: British Gas's Trustpilot page combines residential and business reviews. Business-specific feedback can be harder to find. They were recently appointed SoLR for Tomato Energy (Nov 2025). British Gas responds to most negative reviews within a few days.
Our Verdict
The safe, established choice for businesses prioritising stability over rock-bottom prices
British Gas Business is the UK's largest and oldest energy supplier, backed by Centrica plc. Their 90% zero-carbon electricity (55% nuclear, 35% renewable) gives you genuine green credentials without paying a premium — it's included as standard. The free Energy360® DataView tool helps track usage, and smart meters mean accurate billing. The trade-off? You're unlikely to get the cheapest rates — smaller independents often undercut Big Six pricing. Phone wait times can be longer than nimble competitors, and you won't get the boutique service smaller suppliers offer. But for businesses who want a supplier that won't go bust, British Gas is about as safe as it gets.
✓ Strengths
- Big Six stability — 200+ years, won't go bust
- 90% zero-carbon electricity as standard
- Free 100% renewable upgrade until March 2026
- Energy360® DataView tool included free
- Multi-site consolidated billing available
- Smart meter installation for accurate billing
✗ Limitations
- Rarely the cheapest — independents often undercut
- Phone wait times can be longer than smaller suppliers
- Large corporate feel — less personal service
- Gas is not carbon-neutral (unlike some competitors)
- Deemed rates can be punishing if you miss renewal
Best For
Businesses prioritising supplier stability and green credentials over rock-bottom prices. Ideal for multi-site organisations, those needing sustainability documentation for ESG reporting, and anyone who values the peace of mind that comes with a Big Six supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about British Gas Business
Yes, British Gas Business is the commercial arm of British Gas, which is owned by Centrica plc. They're one of the "Big Six" energy suppliers and the UK's largest and oldest energy company, tracing roots back to 1812. British Gas serves around 400,000 business customers alongside millions of residential customers. They operate as British Gas in England & Wales and Scottish Gas in Scotland.
British Gas Lite is a separate, online-only energy service designed for small businesses. It launched in 2018 and offers lower prices by cutting overheads — but with webchat-only support (no phone). British Gas Business is the full-service option with phone support, dedicated account managers for larger customers, and more flexible contract options. If you value personal service, go with British Gas Business. If you're comfortable online and want lower costs, Lite might suit you.
Yes. British Gas's fuel mix disclosure (April 2024 – March 2025) shows 55% nuclear and 35% renewable sources, totalling 90% zero-carbon electricity. This produces just 53g CO₂ per kWh compared to the UK average of 205g — nearly four times cleaner. They also offer 100% Natural Renewable Electricity (REGO-backed) free of charge on new contracts until 31 March 2026. Their gas is standard natural gas, not carbon-neutral.
Energy360® DataView is British Gas's free energy management tool available to all business customers. It lets you view, analyse and optimise your energy usage online. You can track consumption patterns, identify wastage, and make data-driven decisions to reduce costs. It's included at no extra charge and works particularly well with smart meters for real-time data.
British Gas Business offers fixed contracts from 1 to 4 years. They also have variable price plans with no fixed term (you can leave anytime with notice). For large energy users (1GWh+), flexible contracts with wholesale market access are available. British Gas will notify you 60 days before your contract ends. If you don't act, you'll roll onto their Variable Price Plan which is typically more expensive.
If you don't renew before your contract ends, you'll automatically roll onto British Gas's Variable Price Plan (VPP) — and the rates are steep. Most businesses save 15-30% by locking a fixed rate instead, with some saving up to 70%. That could mean £2,000–£8,000+ per year you're overpaying. Using a broker like Smart Energy means we track your renewal dates and contact you in advance — so you never accidentally end up on expensive deemed rates. See the latest British Gas out-of-contract rates →
Request a quote through Smart Energy and we'll compare British Gas's rates against 28+ other suppliers for your specific usage. If they're competitive, we handle the entire switching process — you just sign the contract. We'll also be your ongoing point of contact, tracking renewals and helping resolve any issues. There's no charge for our service; we're paid by the supplier.
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90% Zero-Carbon Included
British Gas includes zero-carbon electricity as standard — plus free 100% renewable upgrade until March 2026.
Your Dedicated Account Manager
Don't want to wait on hold with British Gas? We chase things up on your behalf.
Multi-Site Consolidated Billing
British Gas offers consolidated billing across sites — we'll help set up your portfolio.
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