Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) Briefing
The Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) which came into effect on the 1st October 2022 has been providing a discount on wholesale gas and electricity to eligible customers. This scheme ends on 31st March 2023.
On 9th January 2023 the government announced that a reduced level of support will continue to be offered through a new scheme called the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS).
The EBDS will run for 12 months from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024. This means there is no hiatus between EBRS ending and EBDS starting.
As with the existing scheme, it will be available to customers on a non-domestic contract including businesses, voluntary sector organisations like charities and public sector organisations, who are:
- On an existing fixed priced contract that was agreed on or after the 1st December 2021.
- Signing new fixed priced contract.
- On a deemed/out of contract or Standard variable rate.
- On a flexible purchase or similar contract.
The government will provide a discount on gas and electricity unit prices to eligible customers through your supplier.
This will be during the 12-month period from 1st April 2023 to the 31st March 2024, subject to a maximum discount, and the discount will be applied if wholesale prices are above a certain price threshold.
The government has recognised that some non-domestic users are more exposed to high energy prices due to being energy intensive and having significant trade exposure, Energy and Trade Intensive Industries (ETII).
As a result, these sectors will receive a higher level of support, but still subject to a maximum discount. To see whether you qualify as an ETII, please see the attached listing issued by the government.
