Energy Supply Glossary / Energy Jargon Explained

The energy sector can be confusing. It’s got its fair share of abbreviations, acronyms and industry specific jargon.
Hopefully the information below will help you understand the terminology.

This is an estimation of consumption calculated by Transco

This term refers to maximum amounts of commercial electricity that is permitted and only really concerns maximum demand customers.

This is a government tax introduced in 2001 to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower overall consumption levels.

A scheme designed to improve the energy efficiency of the bigger commercial energy users.

Each of the 14 geographical distribution areas in Great Britain has a licence to distribute electricity and as such has a unique ID.

This is an estimate calculated from previous billing information.

This company notifies the appropriate bodies when a commercial user switches provider.

This payment is made to any property owner that feeds electricity into the system through a renewable energy system. Payment are usually made by the ‘kilowatt hour.’

This name is used for meters in commercial premises with high intensity usage. The meters have a ‘00’ profile number.

The unit of power related to running industrial machinery.

Issued by Ofgem these certificates provide exemption from the Climate Change Levy.

The MSP is the point from which user consumption is measured. It is usually located where the equipment used shifts from that belonging to the network operator to that of the customer.

Responsible for installing and maintaining meters and any communication technology within the meter.

This indicates the numerous registers a meter may have. The registers can, for example, have a day/night split of even a seasonal variation.

Also known as the Supplier or ‘S’ number, it is the unique identifier found on a business usage electricity bill.

This designates the state of the supply. Disconnected/Dead, De-energised or Live.

Regulate and ensure fair practice and also promote competition in the deregulated energy sector.

These are the first 2 digits of a MPAN

The standing charge is a cost that covers ongoing ‘energy management’ fees such as transportation and maintenance. It is an additional fixed cost on top of consumption charges.

A supply that consumes very little energy on a long term and predictable basis.

Smart Meters allow access to instant accurate data and fluctuating levels of consumption as well as automated readings.

Helps to measure, manage and reduce carbon emissions use to minimise environmental impact and increase resource efficiency.

The amount of energy used, measured in kWh (kilowatt hours)

A government department created in 2008 to oversee energy related functions and regulatory reform.

These are the companies licensed to distribute electricity in Great Britain.

A government scheme focusing on increasing energy efficiency by reducing carbo emissions and tackling fuel poverty.

This is often used if a company has been unable to acquire an accurate meter reading.

Formerly known as the ‘Corgi Register’ this is the national gas safety watchdog in the UK. All working gas installers and engineers should be registered.

A company licensed by Ofgem to own and safely operate an assigned network.

The standard unit of measurement on which electricity charges are based.

This is used to calculate the related distribution use of system charges for the MPAN.

The different types of meters and meter configurations for different levels of usage.

The information point for each MPAN.

This term is used to describe projects with an export capacity of less 30kW, so they do not require a half hourly meter.

The core is the final 13 digits of the MPAN and defines a unique exit point.

The unique, usually 10 digit number, used to identify a commercial gas supply.

An official HM Revenue and Customs form that enables users to claim exemption or a discount on the Climate Change Levy.

This is the support mechanism for renewable energy production projects in the UK and is often linked to Feed in Tariffs (FITs)

The charge made by the National Grid for the safe and efficient movement of gas through the network to the customer. The charge is location dependent.

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