Distillery energy suppliers, tariffs and costs

Distilleries in the UK operate in a unique sector where energy efficiency and sustainability are increasingly crucial. As these businesses engage in processes like fermentation and distillation, they require significant amounts of energy to maintain production standards and ensure product quality. By understanding their specific energy needs and exploring various tariffs, distilleries can optimise their operations and potentially manage costs effectively. The importance of choosing the right energy plan cannot be overstated, as it impacts not only operational expenses but also the environmental footprint of the business. This page provides insights into energy considerations for distilleries, helping them navigate through the complexities of energy consumption and billing.

How much does energy cost for a distillery?

There is no published price list for distilleries. What a distillery pays depends on how much it uses in a year, when it agreed its contract and for how long, wholesale prices at that time, the standing charge, meter type, payment method and credit history. The most recent government figures, for the second quarter of 2026 (April to June, provisional), put the average price paid by UK non-domestic customers at 24.51p per kWh for electricity and 5.28p per kWh for gas, including the Climate Change Levy and standing charges and excluding VAT. A year earlier the averages were 24.03p and 5.31p. Smaller users typically pay more per unit: businesses using under 20,000 kWh of electricity a year averaged 38.36p per kWh, and those using under 278,000 kWh of gas averaged 9.31p per kWh.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Prices of fuels purchased by non-domestic consumers in the UK (Quarterly Energy Prices tables 3.4.1 and 3.4.2), published 29 September 2026. Q2 2026 figures are provisional; next update 17 December 2026. Prices are fully delivered averages including the Climate Change Levy and all other elements except VAT, so standing charges are already spread across the units. Averages across every UK business in a band, not quotes, and not comparable with a supplier’s unit rate.

Working out a monthly figure for your business

Take the annual kWh from your latest bill or annual statement, find the band above and multiply for a rough benchmark. A site using 15,000 kWh of electricity a year sits in the very small band: 15,000 × 38.36p is about £5,750 a year, or roughly £480 a month before VAT. A site using 60,000 kWh of gas a year: 60,000 × 9.31p is about £5,590 a year, or roughly £465 a month. The bands are statistical groupings used by the government, not supplier price breaks, so treat them as a guide to what similar-sized sites paid rather than a price you will be offered. To judge an actual quote, compare its total annual cost (unit rate × your annual kWh, plus the daily standing charge × 365) with what you pay now.

VAT and the Climate Change Levy on business energy

The prices above exclude VAT. Business energy normally carries VAT at 20% plus the Climate Change Levy (CCL). HMRC applies the 5% reduced rate, with no CCL, in three cases. First, low usage: supplies averaging no more than 33 kWh of electricity a day (1,000 kWh a month) or 145 kWh of gas a day (4,397 kWh a month) are treated as domestic use whoever the customer is. Second, fuel and power for domestic use, which HMRC defines to include homes providing care for the elderly or disabled, children’s homes, hospices and school or university residential accommodation. Third, a charity’s non-business activities. From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, electricity that qualifies for the reduced rate is charged at 0% VAT instead of 5% in England, Scotland and Wales; qualifying gas stays at 5%, qualifying electricity in Northern Ireland stays at 5%, and electricity returns to 5% from 1 April 2027. HMRC has not changed which supplies qualify or the certificate process; the same rules decide whether a supply gets 0% or 20%. Where a site is mixed, 60% or more qualifying use means the whole supply gets the reduced rate; below that the supply is split between the two rates, and the customer gives the supplier a certificate declaring the qualifying percentage. Source: HMRC VAT Notice 701/19 (sections 2.8, 3.2 to 3.5, 4.2 and 5.2, updated 5 February 2025), gov.uk VAT rates and HMRC Revenue and Customs Brief 10 (2026).

Do Ofgem’s microbusiness protections apply to distilleries?

Ofgem treats a business as a microbusiness if it has fewer than 10 employees (or their full-time equivalent) and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than £2 million, or if it uses no more than 100,000 kWh of electricity or 293,000 kWh of gas a year. A business can be a microbusiness for one fuel and not the other. Independent distilleries that meet either test are covered by Ofgem’s microbusiness rules, which give extra protections around contract terms and renewals (Ofgem: get energy for your business).

Do business energy rates vary by region?

Yes. Part of every unit rate covers the cost of the local electricity distribution network, and Great Britain has 14 licensed distribution areas each with its own charges, so identical contracts are priced differently in, for example, the north of Scotland and London. DESNZ does not publish non-domestic prices by region, so regional figures quoted elsewhere are supplier or broker estimates rather than official statistics.

Which energy supplier is best for distilleries?

There is no single answer. Suppliers price business contracts individually rather than publishing standard tariffs for distilleries, so the cheapest supplier for one business is often not the cheapest for the next: each prices on the consumption, meter type, contract length and credit profile in front of it. Compare the total annual cost of like-for-like contract lengths rather than the headline unit rate, and check the standing charge and what happens when the contract ends before signing.

How distilleries use energy

Distilleries typically experience high energy demand due to the nature of their production processes. The majority of energy consumption is driven by activities such as mashing, fermentation, distillation, and bottling. Energy usage can be constant throughout the year, but may peak during periods of high production. Distilleries often require both electricity for powering machinery and gas for heating purposes. Understanding these patterns is essential for managing energy costs effectively and ensuring uninterrupted production.

What affects energy bills for distilleries

Several factors can influence the energy bills for a distillery business, including:

• Production volume: Higher production levels generally lead to increased energy consumption.
• Type of equipment: The efficiency of distillation and bottling equipment can significantly impact energy usage.
• Operational hours: Extended working hours may increase energy demand.
• Energy tariffs: Choosing the right tariff can affect overall costs.
• Seasonal variations: Changes in temperature may affect heating and cooling requirements.

How to compare tariffs

When comparing energy tariffs for a distillery, consider the following checklist:

• Review your current energy usage to identify peak consumption periods.
• Evaluate different tariff structures, such as fixed or variable rates.
• Consider the length of the contract and any associated terms and conditions.
• Check for green energy options to align with sustainability goals.
• Inquire about any additional fees or charges that may apply.

Gas or electricity: what matters most

For a distillery, both gas and electricity are vital, but their roles differ. Gas is often used for heating during the distillation process, while electricity powers machinery and lighting. Balancing the use of both energy sources can lead to improved cost management and increased efficiency. Understanding the specific needs of your distillery will help in prioritising which energy source to optimise for better results.

How switching works

Switching energy suppliers involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Gather recent energy bills to understand your consumption patterns.
2. Research and compare energy suppliers and tariffs specific to distilleries.
3. Contact your chosen supplier to discuss contract options.
4. Review and sign the new contract, ensuring you understand all terms.
5. Your new supplier will manage the transition and inform you of the switch date.

More business energy guides

Return to our business energy hub to explore guides for other industries, or go directly to our business gas or business electricity pages.

Explore other industry guides

• Brewery energy quotes
• Microbrewery taproom energy quotes
• Manufacturing - food processing energy quotes
• Food wholesaler energy quotes