A new government scheme opening October 2026 will exempt eligible UK manufacturers from a substantial portion of their electricity levy costs. Meridian Trade Advisory helps you navigate it.
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme exempts eligible UK manufacturers from the indirect costs of three government levies embedded in their electricity bills — the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs, and Capacity Market charges.
BICS targets manufacturing frontier and foundational industries — 80 eligible SIC codes covering a wide range of UK industrial manufacturing. Eligible businesses must be registered in Great Britain and meet electricity intensity thresholds.
Based on £38/MWh saving at 100% exemption. Actual value depends on site consumption, pro-rating percentage, and contract structure.
| Annual Consumption | Indicative Annual Saving |
|---|---|
| 500 – 1,999 MWh | £19,000 – £76,000 |
| 2,000 – 5,000 MWh | £76,000 – £190,000 |
| 5,000 – 20,000 MWh | £190,000 – £760,000 |
Indicative figures only. Subject to eligibility confirmation, pro-rating assessment, and final BICS levy rates. Contact Meridian for a site-specific estimate.
From initial eligibility check through to ongoing compliance — a structured advisory process designed to maximise your BICS benefit and minimise your risk.
Meridian Trade Advisory was founded by Anthony Salasidis, a commodity and energy markets professional with 15 years' experience across base metals options, iron ore derivatives, and dry bulk shipping and FFA markets.
If your business operates in an eligible manufacturing sector, we can tell you quickly whether BICS applies and give you an indicative saving estimate — at no cost and with no obligation.
The application window opens 1 October 2026 and closes 30 November. Preparation typically takes 2–3 months. The sooner we start, the better positioned you'll be.
anthony@meridiantradeadvisory.com LinkedIn — Anthony Salasidis