13 Nov Energy Standing Charges Set to Rise Sharply from April 2026
UK Business Energy Standing Charges Set to Rise Sharply from April 2026
Businesses across the UK are being urged to prepare for a major rise in energy standing charges from April 2026, as the costs of maintaining and upgrading the national electricity grid increase dramatically.
Forecasts show that Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges, which fund the UK’s high-voltage electricity network could rise by around 94% on average from April 2026. These charges make up a large portion of your daily standing charge, meaning businesses will face higher bills even if their energy usage stays the same.
Why Are Business Standing Charges Increasing?
Standing charges cover the fixed costs energy suppliers pay to deliver electricity – such as transmission, distribution, metering, and grid maintenance.
The rise is mainly driven by increasing TNUoS costs, reflecting massive investment in renewable connections, grid modernisation, and the UK’s net zero transition.
Ofgem’s network charging reforms have also changed how these costs are distributed across the country. As a result, some regions, particularly Scotland and the North of England may face even higher standing charges due to greater transmission distances and network pressures.
Early Signs of Increases
While the full rise is due in April 2026, some energy suppliers have already raised standing charges from April 2025, as part of changes to non-commodity costs (the non-energy elements of your bill/ standing charges being part of these increases).
That means many businesses are already seeing small increases a signal of what’s to come if no action is taken.
What This Means for Your Business
Even if your electricity consumption remains stable, your energy bills could rise significantly due to higher fixed charges. This could particularly impact:
SMEs and low-usage sites, where standing charges make up a bigger portion of total costs
Multi-site organisations, which pay multiple daily charges
Energy-intensive industries, especially those located in higher-cost network zones
How to Prepare and How We Energy Smart Can Help
We at Energy Smart, are already pricing contracts ahead of the April 2026 increases to help businesses secure better deals now, before standing charges and network costs climb further.
Here’s how we can help you stay ahead:
Secure your energy contract early
Beat the 2026 surge by securing your rates now while fixed charges are lower. Energy market volatility means early action can deliver real savings.
Get clear, transparent pricing
We’ll break down all components of your energy costs, so you understand exactly what you’re paying for.
Plan strategically with expert guidance
Our team tracks market trends, Ofgem updates, and network forecasts so we can help you choose the best contract timing and structure for your business, so you don’t have to worry.
The Bottom Line
The coming increase in business energy standing charges marks a major shift in how UK electricity costs are structured, with more emphasis on funding grid infrastructure and less on wholesale energy pricing.
By acting now, businesses can avoid the worst of the 2026 increases. At Energy Smart, we’re already helping clients lock in contracts early to protect their budgets and maintain cost stability.
Get in touch today to find out how much you could save by securing your next energy contract before the April 2026 standing charge rise.
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