Half Hourly Capacity Charges
Further important information about Capacity Charges…
Half Hourly Meters Explained
Half Hourly Capacity Charges
Half Hourly MOP Contract
Pass-through Charges
If your business uses a Half-Hourly (HH) electricity meter, it will either be a Whole Current (WC) meter or a Current Transformer (CT) meter.
If you have a CT meter, you’ll notice a Capacity Charge on your electricity bills. It’s essential to check whether you’re being charged for Excess Capacity, as this indicates that the allocated capacity for your site may be too low.
Unsure what this all means? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below, we explain everything you need to know about Capacity Charges.
If you have further questions or need a quote for Half-Hourly electricity prices, call us on 01872 495 111.
What Are Half Hourly Capacity Charges?
Capacity Charges are fees for reserved energy. They are applied by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to ensure your business has access to the electricity network capacity it requires. These charges are measured in KVA (Kilo Volt Amperes) and are sometimes referred to as Availability Charges.
On your bill, they may appear as either:
Capacity Charge
Supply Availability Charge
The KVA level varies depending on your site’s power needs. For example, smaller sites might have a KVA of 50, while larger sites could require 300 KVA, or more.
Capacity Charges are billed monthly, typically in pence per KVA per day. For instance, if your site has a KVA of 75, your monthly charge might look like this:
> 10p x 75 (KVA) x 30 (days) = £225.00
Some suppliers may display this as a flat monthly rate instead:
> 300p x 75 = £225.00
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Avoid Overpaying By Checking Your Capacity Charge
If your actual energy usage is much lower than your reserved Capacity level, you could be paying too much. Adjusting your Capacity level can lead to significant savings.
For example, if your business only needs 100 kVA instead of 150 kVA, your monthly charge would be £300 instead of £450, a saving of 33%.
However, underestimating your Capacity level can result in costly penalties, this is where Excess Capacity charges come in.
Excess Capacity Charges
Using more electricity than your agreed capacity strains the network, so it’s vital to ensure your KVA is accurate. Before April 2018, excess usage was charged at the same rate as your agreed capacity.
Since April 2018, Distribution Change Proposal (DCP) 161 introduced higher rates for excess usage. If your business exceeds its allocated capacity, your supplier is penalised by the DNO, and these costs are passed on to you as Excess Capacity Charges. These charges can be 2-3 times higher than your standard rate.
If you spot an Excess Capacity Charge on your bill, contact us on 01872 495 111, and we’ll help resolve the issue.
To avoid these higher costs, it’s wise to factor in a small buffer when calculating your KVA. Our team can provide expert advice to ensure you get this right.
Other charges to look out for with Half Hourly meters...
When reviewing your half hourly meter bills, keep an eye out for additional charges, such as:
- MOP and DC Charges: Fees for meter maintenance and data collection.
- Pass-Through Charges: Including DUoS, TNUoS, RO, FiT, and CfD.
Get your bespoke Half Hourly quote today
Understanding your half hourly meter and energy usage is key to reducing costs and improving efficiency. Here at WeSave, we can obtain bespoke pricing for your business from our panel of trusted business energy suppliers.
For your free, no-obligation half hourly meter quote, simply click below.
Alternatively, please call our friendly team on 01872 495 111. We’re here to help you find the best energy solutions for your business.
