Multi Site Energy Contracts can become difficult to control when a business operates more than one premises, particularly if each location has different suppliers, renewal dates and consumption patterns. A restaurant group, retailer or care provider might be paying several electricity and gas bills without a clear view of the total cost.
The useful question is not simply whether one supplier can cover every address. It is whether each supply is priced appropriately, the contract terms are understood and the accounts are manageable. This guide explains seven checks to make before comparing offers or changing arrangements.
Why managing several sites is different
A single company may have separate meter points at every location, even if it uses one trading name. Electricity and gas are normally arranged as distinct supplies, and individual sites may have different metering arrangements, credit considerations and consumption profiles.
For example, a takeaway with electric cooking equipment has different peak demand from a small office. Likewise, one branch might be approaching renewal while another remains tied to a longer fixed term. Multi Site Energy Contracts should therefore be evaluated as a portfolio and as individual sites.
A portfolio quote can be convenient, but it does not automatically mean a lower overall bill. Ask whether the supplier proposes separate contracts for each meter point, a group arrangement, combined invoicing or only a single account contact.
Multi Site Energy Contracts: 7 Smart Checks Before Signing
1. Build a complete register of every supply
Start with a list of all occupied premises and the company responsible for paying each bill. Include temporary sites, storage units, kitchens and offices if they have their own energy supply. Avoid assuming that two addresses with the same landlord or postcode share an energy account.
- Site address, trading name and legal billing entity.
- Current supplier, account number and electricity MPAN or gas MPRN.
- Meter type, recent bill and any known payment or account issues.
This register gives you a reliable foundation for comparing Multi Site Energy Contracts. Missing meter references or incorrect occupier details can delay quotations and supplier transfers.
2. Map contract dates before making changes
Record the start date, end date, notice provisions and any early exit terms for each supply. A headquarters contract ending in March does not necessarily allow a warehouse contract ending in September to move at the same time.
Ask every supplier to confirm the relevant dates in writing. Ofgem advises businesses to check the existing contract before switching, including when a change is permitted and whether an exit fee may apply. Read its business supplier switching guidance for the general rules.
When reviewing Multi Site Energy Contracts, a phased renewal plan may be more practical than attempting to force every location onto one start date.
3. Collect realistic annual usage for each location
For Multi Site Energy Contracts, a fair comparison uses consumption figures that reflect actual operating patterns. Gather 12 months of bills or reliable meter data where available. Note new equipment, shorter opening hours, refurbishments or newly opened branches that could make historic usage unrepresentative.
Keep electricity and gas usage separate. If your restaurant uses significant gas for cooking but electricity mainly for refrigeration and lighting, the two supplies should not be assessed with the same assumptions.
If you need help understanding electricity quotations, see Utility7’s business electricity comparison service. For sites with heating or commercial kitchens, you can also review business gas options.
4. Compare the total annual cost, not just the unit rate
An apparently attractive unit rate can be offset by a higher standing charge or other contractual costs. Use the same annual kWh estimate, contract period and relevant charge assumptions when assessing competing quotations.
For Multi Site Energy Contracts, request both a site-level estimate and a combined portfolio summary. The overall figure helps with budgeting, while site-level breakdowns show whether a low-cost location is masking a costly branch.
- Unit rates and standing charges for each meter point.
- Any separate metering, capacity or other applicable charges.
- VAT, Climate Change Levy treatment and any exclusions or pass-through costs.
- Broker remuneration, fees and relevant contract conditions.
5. Decide whether one supplier or several suits the business
A single supplier may simplify account management if it offers the locations and terms you need. However, supplier eligibility, credit checks, available tariffs and service coverage can differ between sites. One branch might receive a competitive offer while another does not.
Compare a combined proposal against suitable individual quotes. In some cases it may be preferable to retain different suppliers or staggered renewals, especially when existing fixed contracts cannot be ended without additional cost.
The aim of Multi Site Energy Contracts is better control and informed procurement, rather than uniformity for its own sake.
6. Check billing, reporting and customer support
Ask what your finance team will actually receive after the contract starts. One supplier may issue separate invoices for every meter, while another may offer consolidated statements or a central online dashboard. The availability and format of these services should be confirmed, not assumed. Clear reporting is an important part of managing Multi Site Energy Contracts.
For a group with ten premises, clear bill allocation matters. You need to know which branch used the energy, whether meter readings are accurate and who to contact if an account develops an error.
7. Agree the approval and switching process
Decide who can request quotations, approve terms and enter into a binding contract on behalf of each legal entity. This is especially important where a restaurant group operates several limited companies or franchise locations.
Ofgem explains that business energy contract terms and protections depend in part on business size and the type of agreement. There is generally no standard domestic-style cooling-off period for business energy contracts, so review written terms before accepting an offer.
For Multi Site Energy Contracts, keep an approval record and confirm the planned supply start date for every meter. A supplier change is normally administrative, but incorrect data, debt or contract restrictions can cause complications.
Multi Site Energy Contracts: Comparison Table
Use this checklist to compare portfolio proposals without losing sight of what happens at individual branches. It is a framework rather than a live tariff comparison.
| Feature | Single-supplier portfolio proposal | Separate site arrangements |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | Potentially fewer account contacts; billing format varies. | More supplier contacts, with possible site-level flexibility. |
| Contract dates | May offer coordinated dates where available. | Each site can retain its own renewal schedule. |
| Pricing | Evaluate every site’s rates and charges, not just the total. | Compare each location against its own available offers. |
| Operational reporting | Ask about group statements and branch-level breakdowns. | May require combining invoices or reports internally. |
| Flexibility | Confirm what happens when a site opens, closes or moves. | Changes may be handled separately for each account. |
How to request comparable quotes for Multi Site Energy Contracts
You can make a more useful decision when all suppliers work from the same information. Send a consistent brief listing the sites, meter references, annual usage, existing end dates and the service requirements that matter to your business.
- Ask for a written offer showing charges for every electricity and gas supply.
- Request an estimated annual cost using your stated consumption figures.
- Check the term, fixed or variable elements, exclusions and exit conditions.
- Confirm invoicing options, payment terms and support arrangements.
- Review the offer internally before giving contractual acceptance.
When seeking Multi Site Energy Contracts, ask whether the quotation is conditional on credit approval or acceptance of every location. Make sure a proposed group discount, where offered, is documented rather than assumed.
Common mistakes to avoid
A common mistake is combining annual bills into one total without checking the underlying meters. Another is comparing a twelve-month offer with a longer deal without considering how pricing, risk and business plans differ over time.
Do not overlook branch closures, lease changes or newly acquired premises. Also avoid relying on verbal descriptions of broker fees or assuming that all locations qualify for the same customer protections.
Multi Site Energy Contracts work best when the information stays current. Review your site register periodically and update it whenever a meter, tenancy, legal entity or operating pattern changes. This keeps your review relevant as the business grows.
Need a clearer view of your business energy contracts?
Utility7 can help you organise your existing electricity and gas details and compare available supplier options across your premises. Share a recent bill and the locations you want reviewed; any quotation will depend on your circumstances and supplier availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can one supplier cover all our business premises?
Potentially, yes. It depends on the supplier, meter types, site locations, credit assessment and available contracts. A single supplier relationship does not necessarily mean every premises will have an identical tariff or one combined legal contract.
2. Are Multi Site Energy Contracts always cheaper?
No. Combining locations may offer administrative benefits or access to different quotations, but it does not guarantee a lower price. Compare the total expected cost and the rates for each site against credible individual alternatives.
3. Can we switch every branch on the same date?
Only if the existing contracts and new supplier arrangements allow it. Different fixed-term end dates, notice requirements or exit charges can make a phased switch more sensible. Confirm the proposed dates in writing before authorising any transfers.
4. What documents should we prepare for Multi Site Energy Contracts?
Start with recent bills, the MPAN or MPRN for each supply, estimated annual consumption, current contract end dates and details of the legal entity paying each bill. Flag planned openings, closures or operational changes so any comparison uses realistic assumptions.