How to secure maximum savings from BICS

How to secure maximum savings from BICS.

The Department for Business, Innovations, Science & Trade has written to every company with an eligible SIC code inviting them to apply for the British Industry Competitiveness Scheme.

Offering as much as a 25% discount on the energy you use, this is great news for your organisation if you have received a letter.

But the real work starts now to ensure you receive the maximum savings under the scheme.

Speed and accuracy are vital

The application window for BICS is short (1st October – 30th November 2026) and applicants need a robust evidence pack to secure the highest possible discount on electricity bills.

One small error in data gathering could see a company’s savings halve or disappear altogether.

The level of exemption granted to a site is determined by the proportion of electricity used to manufacture those eligible products, applied through banded thresholds:

• Less than 25%: No exemption
• 25% to 50%: 50% exemption
• More than 50%: 100% exemption

Because the bands are stepped rather than sliding, falling just below a threshold can materially reduce savings. Accurately scoping and evidencing the proportion of electricity used to manufacture eligible products is therefore one of the most commercially important parts of the application.

Don’t miss double savings in the first year of BICS

There are two years’ worth of savings available in this first application round for BICS, with a backdated payment for 2026. But failure to submit a watertight application will see companies miss out.

We have the inside track to help you navigate the scheme’s complexities

At Envantage, we are supporting manufacturers with their applications and working with the Department for Business, Innovations, Science & Trade to feedback any difficulties with the process.

We can do the same for you and help you overcome the barriers we have already identified to secure the biggest possible discount on your electricity bills.

For example, unlike previous government compensation schemes, having the correct SIC code and HS6 product code is a non-negotiable for BICS – if changes are needed, this isn’t a speedy process via Companies House and time is in short supply for this first round of BICS savings.

Remember also that any evidence submitted as part of an application must be approved by a company director. This won’t necessarily be a smooth or fast process and should be factored into BICS planning.

Get the BICS advantage

Find out how to avoid the pitfalls and secure maximum savings for your business by downloading Envantage’s jargon-free ‘Get the BICS Advantage‘ guide.

Categories

• Compliance
• Energy

Tags

• Compensation schemes
• compliance

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