⚡ Upcoming TNUoS Changes: What They Mean for Your Business
TNUoS changes from April 2026: what they mean for your business
From April 2026, the cost of transmitting electricity across the UK will rise sharply. The biggest impact for most businesses will be felt in the standing charge, specifically the TNUoS residual (TDR) — a fixed £/site/day charge set by your meter/voltage band (not multiplied by kWh or kVA).
🏷️ What's Changing in Your Standing Charge?
NESO’s latest view shows the demand-residual pot (what the TDR recovers) rising to £7.52bn in 2026/27, with ~94% average increases in the TDR bands versus 2025/26. This uplift feeds straight into the standing charge suppliers quote.
Here’s how the increase looks across typical meter bands:
| Meter Type | 2025/26 TDR (£/day) | 2026/27 TDF (£/day) | Daily Increase | Annual Impact* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Business (NHH Medium) | £0.760709 | £1.598634 | +£0.838 | ~£306 |
| HH LV1 (0–80 kVA) | £3.907710 | £7.275302 | +£3.368/day | ~£1,230 |
| HH LV2 (80–500 kVA) | £6.529117 | £14.408552 | +£7.879/day | ~£2,876 |
*365-day illustration. These figures isolate the TNUoS portion of the standing charge.
💡 These are per-meter increases — not per kVA, not per kWh — and they apply regardless of how much energy you use.
❓ Will my unit rate go up too?
Only a little for most SMEs. For non-half-hourly meters, the TNUoS unit-rate add-on only applies to 4–7pm usage and the average is 0.43 p/kWh in 2026/27 (about +0.05 p/kWh YoY).
For half-hourly meters the locational element is a £/kW line, not part of your p/kWh rate. The standing charge is the main change to plan for.
👉 Are You Ready for This?
If your next contract runs into April 2026 or beyond, the higher TDR will be priced into your standing charge. If you fix before April, for a term that ends beforehand, you can avoid this uplift for that contract window.
(Always check your banding and dates.)
🔍 FAQs
Is this increase based on how much energy I use?
No. The TNUoS residual is a fixed daily charge per site. It doesn’t change based on your usage.
Does my kVA size affect this charge?
Not directly. The TDR is banded by meter type, not by your available capacity. However, HH meters are often linked to higher kVA sites, which fall into higher TDR bands.
Will my unit rate go up too?
Only slightly. For NHH meters, the locational charge increases by around 0.05 p/kWh, and only applies to energy used between 4–7pm.
Can I avoid this increase by switching supplier?
No. TNUoS charges are set nationally and apply to all suppliers. What you can do is ensure your meter is correctly classified and your standing charge is transparent
If I fix now, will the increase be passed on?
If your contract ends before April 2026, the uplift won’t apply during that term. But if your contract runs into or beyond April 2026, suppliers will factor the new TDR into your standing charge. Always check the contract end date and how standing charges are structured.
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🧾 Final Thoughts
This isn’t a supplier issue — it’s a system-wide change driven by NGESO’s funding model. And while the headlines might focus on small unit-rate tweaks, the real cost increase is buried in the standing charge.
For many businesses, this means £300 to £3,000+ per year in extra costs, depending on meter type. It’s essential to understand where your site sits — and to make sure your quotes reflect the true impact.
If you’d like help reviewing your meter banding or understanding how this affects your next renewal, we’re here to walk you through it — clearly, transparently, and without the jargon.
🚀 Get quotes before the TDR step-up
Send us a recent bill and your renewal date. We’ll confirm your band, show the exact £/day delta for your meters, and bring back fully-fixed quotes so you can decide with confidence — no jargon, no hidden uplifts.
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