GP surgery energy suppliers, tariffs and costs

GP surgeries play a vital role in the community, providing essential healthcare services. With a busy environment that includes patient consultations, medical equipment, and administrative tasks, energy consumption is a significant operational factor. Managing energy efficiently can help GP surgeries maintain a comfortable and functional environment, ensuring both staff and patients are catered for. Understanding the energy needs specific to this sector can aid in selecting the most appropriate tariffs, ultimately helping to manage costs while maintaining service quality. At YourUtilities.co.uk, we provide insights and tools to assist GP surgeries in navigating the complex landscape of business energy options.

How much does energy cost for a GP surgery?

There is no published price list for GP surgeries. What a GP surgery 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 GP surgeries?

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 GP surgeries 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 GP surgeries?

There is no single answer. Suppliers price business contracts individually rather than publishing standard tariffs for GP surgeries, 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 GP surgeries use energy

GP surgeries typically experience consistent energy usage throughout the day, with peak periods aligning with patient appointments. Energy is consumed by lighting, heating, and powering medical equipment, as well as IT systems used for patient management. The need for a comfortable environment means that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are often in use, especially during colder months. Additionally, refrigeration for medical supplies and warm lighting for patient comfort contribute to the overall energy profile of a GP surgery.

What affects energy bills for GP surgeries

Several factors can influence the energy bills of a GP surgery. Key considerations include:

• Size of the practice and number of rooms.
• Type and efficiency of heating and cooling systems.
• Usage of electrical medical equipment.
• Hours of operation and patient volume.
• Energy efficiency of the building and its appliances.

Understanding these factors can help in identifying areas where energy efficiency improvements can be made.

How to compare tariffs

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

• Assess the surgery's average energy consumption patterns.
• Compare fixed vs. variable rate tariffs based on stability needs.
• Check for any green energy options that align with sustainability goals.
• Check the payment terms and billing frequency suit your cash flow.
• Evaluate the reputation and customer service ratings of potential suppliers.

These considerations will help in selecting the most suitable energy plan.

Gas or electricity: what matters most

In GP surgeries, electricity is crucial for powering essential medical devices, computers, and lighting. While gas may be used for heating, its importance varies based on the practice's location and building infrastructure. In surgeries where gas heating is predominant, its usage will significantly impact energy costs, making it essential to consider both gas and electricity tariffs carefully. Understanding the specific needs of the practice helps in making informed decisions regarding energy suppliers.

How switching works

Switching energy suppliers can be straightforward with the right approach. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Review your current energy usage and contract terms.
2. Research and compare alternative energy tariffs.
3. Contact the chosen energy supplier to initiate the switch.
4. Provide necessary information and confirm the switch date.
5. Ensure a smooth transition by coordinating with both current and new suppliers.

Staying informed about the process can help ensure minimal disruption to your practice's operations.

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