
Manufacturing businesses across the UK face some of the highest and most volatile energy costs in the non-domestic sector. From power-hungry machinery to continuous production schedules, manufacturing energy use is rarely flexible - which means being on the wrong tariff can quickly erode profit margins.
At Business Utility Hub, we specialise in helping manufacturers compare energy prices across the UK market. We monitor gas and electricity prices daily, compare deals from multiple suppliers and manage the entire switch on your behalf - so you can secure more stable costs without disruption to operations.
We work with manufacturers of all sizes, from small production sites to large facilities operating across multiple locations.





Manufacturing energy costs are rarely static. Electricity prices, gas prices, network charges and wholesale energy costs all move regularly, and suppliers adjust their rates in response. If you have not reviewed your manufacturing energy contract recently, there is a strong chance your business is paying more than it needs to.
Many manufacturing businesses are unknowingly affected by higher energy prices because they are:
At Business Utility Hub, we track the energy market every day. When you speak to our team, you are not relying on outdated averages - you are getting a live view of which energy suppliers are offering competitive manufacturing energy deals right now.
Manufacturing energy consumption is fundamentally different from most other business sectors. Production environments rely on a continuous and reliable energy supply, often operating during peak demand periods and using specialist equipment that drives higher electricity costs.
Energy use in manufacturing typically includes:
For UK manufacturers, energy consumption is influenced by both operational demand and external market factors. Industrial electricity prices tend to sit above domestic averages due to network costs, capacity charges and peak demand exposure. Gas prices can fluctuate sharply in response to global supply conditions, wholesale energy markets and UK government policy.
Understanding how energy is used across your manufacturing operations is the first step in managing costs. The second is making sure your gas and electricity contracts reflect that reality, rather than defaulting to unsuitable tariffs.
Not all energy contracts are designed with manufacturing businesses in mind. Some tariffs are better suited to predictable office usage, while others accommodate the scale and variability of industrial energy demand.
Common types of manufacturing energy contracts include:
These offer a set unit price for electricity and gas over an agreed period. Fixed contracts provide cost certainty, which many manufacturers prefer when managing budgets and protecting profit margins from rising energy prices.
Larger manufacturing businesses may use flexible purchasing arrangements that track wholesale energy prices more closely. These contracts can offer savings when market prices fall but require active energy management and risk tolerance.
SVTs move in line with the energy market and typically have no exit fees. For manufacturing businesses, these tariffs often lead to higher energy costs during periods of price volatility.
If you move into new premises or allow a contract to expire without renewing, suppliers automatically place your business on a deemed tariff. These are usually among the highest industrial electricity prices available and should be avoided wherever possible.
Choosing the right contract depends on your energy consumption profile, appetite for price risk and operational priorities. Business Utility Hub helps manufacturers compare gas and electricity contracts side by side, explaining how each option affects long-term energy costs.




How much electricity a factory consumes varies widely depending on the scale of the site, production processes and hours of operation. Manufacturers running energy-intensive machinery for long shifts will typically see higher factory energy costs, especially when electricity is used continuously throughout the day. Gas usage also plays a part, with factory gas cost increasing where heat, drying or steam generation is involved.
With electricity prices UK for factory users moving regularly, even small differences in unit rates can quickly add up, which is why reviewing your energy contract against current market options can help keep overall manufacturing energy spend under control.







Energy is one of the largest and least flexible costs for manufacturing businesses. With electricity prices, gas prices and wholesale energy markets continuing to fluctuate, staying on the wrong tariff can quietly increase costs month after month.
A manufacturing energy comparison with Business Utility Hub gives you clarity on where your business stands and what better options are available right now. We compare gas and electricity contracts from trusted UK energy suppliers, explain the numbers clearly and manage the entire switch for you.
To review your manufacturing energy costs or check upcoming renewals: