With the UK’s biggest reform to electricity settlement in decades now underway, energy experts are urging businesses to familiarise themselves with Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) and understand what it could mean for their future energy bills.

While the changes won’t directly increase bills overnight, MHHS is expected to fundamentally change how business electricity is measured, billed and managed, rewarding organisations that better understand and optimise their energy usage.

To help businesses prepare, the business energy experts at Utility Bidder have explained what MHHS is, how it could impact organisations, and the practical steps businesses should be taking now.

Madeleine Porter, Head of Marketing at Utility Bidder, explains:

“Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement is one of the most significant changes to the UK electricity market in recent years, but it’s something many businesses are still unfamiliar with. The reforms are designed to modernise how electricity consumption is measured by using more accurate half-hourly data, creating a system that better reflects when energy is actually being used.*

*While the changes themselves won’t immediately increase or reduce energy bills, they will place much greater emphasis on understanding energy usage patterns. Businesses that can shift electricity demand away from peak periods, improve efficiency or make better use of technologies such as smart meters and battery storage are likely to be in a stronger position as the market evolves.*

*For many organisations, this is an opportunity rather than a challenge. Better visibility of energy consumption can help businesses identify waste, make more informed decisions about their operations and ultimately gain greater control over their energy costs. The businesses that start understanding their energy data now will be much better prepared as these reforms continue to roll out.”

Tips for businesses preparing for MHHS

Understand your energy usage

Review when your business consumes the most electricity. Identifying peak demand periods now will help you understand where efficiencies may be possible.

Make sure you have a smart meter

MHHS relies on accurate consumption data. Businesses without a smart meter should consider whether installing one could provide better visibility of their energy usage.

Review your energy contract

As suppliers adapt to MHHS, businesses should regularly review their contract to ensure it continues to meet their operational needs and offers the best value.

Explore opportunities to shift demand

If possible, move energy-intensive processes outside of peak periods. Even small operational changes could become more valuable as time-of-use pricing evolves.

Speak to an energy expert

With significant market changes underway, businesses should seek advice before renewing contracts to ensure they’re making informed decisions based on how the energy market is changing.