ScottishPower business energy: ownership, contact, bills and switching

ScottishPower is one of the best-known names in British energy, and it supplies businesses as well as households. This page covers what we could verify about it and, just as useful, the questions to ask any supplier before you commit. Biz Energy is not affiliated with ScottishPower and earns nothing if you choose it or leave it.

Who owns ScottishPower

ScottishPower says on its own about-us page that it belongs to the group headed by Iberdrola, S.A., the Spanish energy company. Within the UK it describes three businesses: a renewables arm that runs wind, solar and storage projects, SP Energy Networks, which owns regulated electricity networks, and a customer business that supplies energy to homes and businesses and sells related products such as smart meters, EV charging, solar and heating.

That split matters to you in one specific way. The network company that owns the poles and cables in your area may share a corporate family with a supplier, but it is regulated separately and charges every supplier the same distribution rates. You pay those network costs whoever you buy from, as part of the non-energy parts of your bill. See non-commodity charges explained.

Business customers it serves

ScottishPower's own description confirms that its customer business supplies businesses, but its about-us page gives no breakdown by size, and we have not stated one. The sensible approach is to ask for a written quote for your sites and look at the Principal Terms rather than relying on brand reputation. If you have several sites, our guide to multi-site and large business energy covers how pricing differs.

How to get in touch

The company's main contact hub is at scottishpower.com/contact_us, and its customer-facing site is scottishpower.co.uk. ScottishPower's help-centre article on domestic and small business complaints (last updated November 2023) gives a small business line of 0345 058 0002, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, alongside online chat. Check the official hub for current numbers before you call.

Before you contact any supplier, have to hand: your account number, the site address, your MPAN or MPRN, and your latest bill. Our guide to finding your MPAN and MPRN shows where they sit.

Checking a quote or renewal

When ScottishPower, or any supplier, sends a renewal offer, test it in this order:

1. Is the legal supplier name on the document the one you expect?
2. What are the unit rate(s), standing charge and contract length?
3. Does the price stay fixed, or can parts pass through? Fixed means the supplier absorbs later changes in some network charges; pass-through means you carry them.
4. What is the exit fee and notice rule?
5. If a broker is involved, what is the fee in the Principal Terms?

Here is a worked comparison of two offers for a small office using 30,000 kWh a year. Offer A: 25.5p/kWh and 55p/day. Offer B: 24.0p/kWh and 95p/day. A costs (30,000 x 0.255) + (365 x 0.55) = £7,650 + £200.75 = £7,850.75. B costs (30,000 x 0.24) + (365 x 0.95) = £7,200 + £346.75 = £7,546.75. B is cheaper by £304 despite the higher standing charge. If you used only 8,000 kWh, A would cost £2,040 + £200.75 = £2,240.75 and B £1,920 + £346.75 = £2,266.75, so A wins. The break-even depends on usage, so always calculate with your own figure. Our business energy cost calculator does this.

Switching away

Business contracts have no cooling-off period, so when you agree to a new deal it binds you. Check your current end date first; see how to find your contract end date. A switch is arranged by the incoming supplier. If you are on a default or deemed rate, there is no termination fee, and microbusinesses cannot be made to give notice except under an evergreen contract. Our switching guide sets out the steps.

If something goes wrong

Complain to the supplier first, using its official channels, and keep a dated record. Its help-centre article describes three stages: raise the issue by chat, phone or letter; if it is not fixed straight away, a complaint handler is assigned and usually contacts you within 5 working days; then escalate to its Director Support Team if you are still unhappy. After eight weeks, or sooner with a deadlock letter, micro and small businesses can go to the Energy Ombudsman, which is free. You must act within 12 months of the deadlock letter. Backbilling is limited to 12 months for microbusinesses, which can be relevant if you receive a large catch-up bill; see business energy back-billing.

Network costs, premises moves and capacity

Who owns the wires

Your electricity supplier and the company that owns the local network are different organisations even if they share a group. Faults, power cuts and new connections are dealt with by the network operator for your area, not your supplier. If the power is off, check the regional network operator's fault line rather than waiting on supplier customer services. For new supplies, see new business energy connection.

Taking on a lease

When you move into a unit, you inherit the meters but not necessarily a contract. Record both opening readings and the date, then agree a contract rather than drifting onto a default rate. The page on telling your supplier you have moved lists what to send, and the change of tenancy entry defines the term.

Capacity charges

Larger sites with three-phase supply may see a charge based on agreed capacity in kVA. If you exceed it, you can be billed a penalty or the capacity may be raised. See supply capacity and kVA charges to see whether that applies to you. Most small shops and offices never see one.

Why two similar quotes differ

Region matters. Network and standing charges vary across Great Britain, so a rate that suits a Glasgow office may not be comparable to one in Kent. Always compare quotes for the same postcode and meter profile.

Next steps

• Note your contract end date and set a reminder 90 days before.
• Gather your annual kWh from your last bill.
• Request written quotes from at least two sources and compare with the sums above.
• Read the UK business energy suppliers overview.