Are You Overpaying for Capacity Charges?
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A kVA review looks at whether your site’s agreed electricity capacity still reflects how the business actually operates today.

For half-hourly metered supplies, agreed capacity can have a direct impact on electricity costs, particularly where capacity-related charges apply. If that figure is set higher than the site genuinely needs, the business may be paying avoidable ongoing charges. A review helps determine whether the current supply setup still makes commercial sense.

kVA stands for kilovolt-ampere and, in this context, is commonly used when referring to the agreed electricity capacity allocated to a site. It is different to total annual consumption because it relates more closely to the level of demand a site may place on the network at any one time. For businesses with half-hourly meters and three-phase supplies, kVA can be an important part of overall electricity cost. Understanding it properly can help identify whether the supply is set up efficiently.

Agreed capacity is the maximum level of electricity demand your site is contracted to draw from the network. If that level is set too high, the business may be paying for more capacity than it realistically requires. If it is set too low, there may be operational or charging implications depending on the site and supply arrangement. The purpose of a kVA review is to assess whether that agreed level still matches actual usage patterns.

A kVA review is most relevant for businesses with half-hourly metered electricity supplies, particularly where there have been changes to site usage over time. If the business now operates fewer hours, uses less machinery, has reduced load, or inherited the supply from a previous occupier, the agreed capacity may no longer be appropriate. It can also be worth reviewing if no one has looked at half-hourly demand data in recent years. Even if no issue is found, a review can still provide reassurance that the supply is set correctly.

No. kVA reviews are not relevant to every business electricity supply. They are typically most useful for sites with half-hourly metering, three-phase supply and visible capacity-related electricity costs. For smaller non-half-hourly sites, other types of review may be more relevant. The value of a kVA review depends on the type of supply and how the site operates.

Yes – and this is one of the biggest advantages of a kVA review. Unlike supplier switching, a justified capacity reduction may still be pursued even if the site is tied into a long-term electricity contract. Where a reduction is approved, the lower kVA position can often begin to affect charges during the current agreement. That means the business may not need to wait until renewal to benefit.

The exact saving depends on the current agreed capacity, the level of any reduction, the supplier, the network area and the way charges are structured. On some sites, the saving may be modest; on others, it can equate to thousands of pounds per year in avoidable ongoing cost. That is why real demand data matters. The purpose of the review is to establish whether there is a genuine commercial opportunity based on the site’s actual usage.

A review itself will not affect your electricity supply. It is simply an assessment of whether the current agreed capacity appears commercially appropriate. If a reduction is later pursued, that would need to be considered properly against the site’s demand profile and operational needs. The aim is never to reduce capacity below what the business realistically requires.

We typically need a few key details about the supply, such as the site address, current electricity arrangements and any available billing or demand information. Where possible, half-hourly data and details of the agreed capacity position help provide a clearer picture. We may also ask how the site operates today, particularly if usage has changed over time. The more accurate the information, the better the review.

That is still a useful outcome. Not every site will be oversized, and in some cases the current agreed capacity will already be appropriate. A review can provide reassurance that the supply is set correctly and that the business is not overpaying unnecessarily. That clarity has value in itself.

Yes. If the review indicates a justified commercial case for a reduction, we can explain the next step clearly and help support the process through to implementation. That includes helping the business understand what may be required and assisting in progressing the change where appropriate. The aim is to help get the revised position live and reflected on future bills as quickly as possible. We focus on practical support, not just identifying the issue.

Yes. Our kVA review is completely free and without obligation.

That includes our initial assessment and, where appropriate, support in helping progress a justified capacity reduction. We do not charge a fee for the review or for assisting with the process.

Our aim is to deliver value upfront, build trust and, where the opportunity arises in future, support your business again when your energy contract next comes up for renewal.