The energy industry can be complex and challenging to navigate. One aspect that often leaves businesses scratching their heads is Third-Party Charges or TPCs. These charges are a critical and unavoidable component of your energy bill and can significantly impact your bottom line. In the last ten years they have risen from around 30% of your bill to around 65%. In this blog, we will explain third-party charges in the energy industry and help you understand how this can affect your business.

So what are Third-Party Charges?

Third-party charges, also known as non-commodity charges or pass-through costs, are additional costs associated with the delivery and regulation of energy to your business premises. They are separate from the actual cost of the electricity or gas you consume. These charges cover various elements of the energy supply chain and are necessary to ensure the reliability and sustainability of the UK's energy infrastructure.

Non-commodity Components fall into 4 main categories –

1. Transmission: Transmission moves electricity from power sources to distribution networks. It uses high-voltage lines and is covered by transmission charges.
2. Distribution: Distribution takes energy from local substations to homes and businesses via low-voltage networks. Costs involve network maintenance and operation.
3. Environmental: Environmental charges support carbon reduction and sustainability through incentives like renewable energy subsidies and carbon pricing.
4. System: System charges maintain grid stability, including supply-demand balance and voltage control.

The other components of your energy cost are :

5. Wholesale energy cost : Energy suppliers buy bulk electricity or gas from producers in the wholesale market. Prices here fluctuate due to supply, demand, fuel costs, weather, and competition.
6. Supplier margin Additional supplier profit margin and charges to cover the costs of supplier billing, metering and customer service.

Understanding these terms is essential for businesses to comprehend their energy bills and the various components that contribute to their overall energy costs. It also helps in making informed decisions regarding energy procurement and sustainability efforts.

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