We always keep prices fair for businesses. Here's how.

Hi, we’re Octopus Energy for Business. We’re making business energy better.

It’s no secret. In fact, we’ve been doing it for years. From making energy more accessible to campaigning against dishonest brokers, fighting for improvements is core to what we do.

We back this up with our outrageously good customer service; we put the people we supply first. This approach has won us a lot of awards over the years - including 8 consecutive years of Which? recommendations.

We know that price is always a priority for SMEs

So, we have a way of making that fairer too. It’s simple, really. We have 5 key pricing principles - and we stick to them.

Principles that guarantee all our customers get the fairest prices. Principles that ensure we’re always working to reduce costs. Principles that keep us accountable to the small businesses we supply.

Let’s have a look at these 5 principles and how we implement them.

#1 We aim to make our prices among the cheapest in the market

Our customers should know they’re getting one of the best deals available. Not just among other suppliers, but compared to energy brokers too. So, we always strive to keep prices low.

Here's how we do it for different contract types:

For fixed contracts

We always aim to have one of the 3 cheapest tariffs on offer.

For variable contracts

We’re consistently competitive. And our deemed rates are the same as our standard variable ones. Because suppliers shouldn’t penalise customers who don’t consciously choose them.

It’s all part of how we offer great value to businesses. We combine consistent pricing, snazzy smart products and the country’s most award-winning service.

#2 We only sell directly to businesses

We’re not on price comparison websites. You can’t join us through an energy broker.

#3 We never add hidden fees or costs to customers’ bills

When you have a fixed contract with us, your rate is your rate. We don’t change it during your contract term. We don’t sneak on extra items.

Unfortunately, many other suppliers don’t stick to this principle. Take the example of the NRAB levy to fund nuclear energy development. It’s a government charge on businesses, via their energy bill. We’re dealing with it transparently: we’re including the cost in the rates of new fixed contracts. And we’re not adding it to any existing ones.

But, we’re aware that some other suppliers are doing the opposite. They're choosing not to include the levy in new contract rates. This makes them look cheaper than those suppliers who do factor it in, like us. However, they then add it to contracts that customers have already signed up to.

We think this is unfair and dishonest. And it’s something we’d never do.

#4 We supply all types of SME - no matter the size or sector

#5 We offer smart tariff options that help SMEs save money

Flexible energy usage is a powerful way for businesses to lower their bills. We pioneer tariffs that unlock this potential:

• Shape Shifters: Trio gives you lower electricity prices for 21 hours of each day. By using energy outside of the 4-7pm peak, you can cut your energy costs.
• Shape Shifters: Agile prices change every half-hour, in line with wholesale costs. So, you can arrange to use energy when costs are low.

The reality is that standard energy tariffs aren’t built to suit SMEs. Many businesses already use loads of their energy off-peak. Or, can be flexible with it. Their energy product options should embrace this, not ignore it. So, we’re fixing the system by designing smart tariffs with normal businesses in mind.

Here are some of our smart success stories: