British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS)
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) is a government scheme designed to help eligible manufacturing businesses reduce certain electricity policy costs.
Applications are made directly to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) which assesses eligibility and determines exemption levels. Approved exemptions are then applied through electricity suppliers.
Available exemptions
Eligible businesses may receive either a 50% or 100% exemption from costs associated with:
- Renewables Obligation (RO)
- Feed-in Tariffs (FiT)
- Capacity Market (CM)
What customers should do now
- Check whether your business may be eligible
- Review the government guidance
- Gather supporting evidence before applications open
BICS at a glance
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Check | Use the government's eligibility checker |
| Prepare | Gather the evidence needed to apply |
| Apply | Submit your application directly to DBIST |
| Decision | DBIST confirms eligibility and exemption level |
| Implementation | Approved exemptions are applied through your energy supplier |
How the process works
1. Check
Use the government's BICS Eligibility Checker to see whether your business may meet the scheme criteria.
2. Prepare
Review the application guidance and gather the information required, including:
- Companies House number
- MPANs
- Electricity bills
- Evidence of manufacturing activity
3. Apply
Submit your application directly to DBIST during the application window.
EDF cannot apply on your behalf or assess eligibility.
4. Decision
DBIST reviews your application and determines whether your business qualifies for the scheme.
Who BICS is for
BICS is aimed at eligible manufacturing businesses that meet the government's scheme criteria.
Eligibility may depend on factors including:
- Companies House registration
- Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code
- Manufacturing activity
- Electricity usage: each manufacturing site must consume at least 33 MWh of grid-supplied electricity per year
The scheme is assessed on a site-by-site basis, which means different sites within the same organisation may receive different outcomes.
Can my business apply?
You may be eligible if:
- Your organisation undertakes eligible manufacturing activities
- Your site meets the scheme requirements
- You can provide supporting evidence of electricity use and manufacturing activity
What you'll need before applying
Prepare the following information
- Companies House number
- MPANs
- Six months of electricity bills
- Evidence of manufacturing activity
- Evidence of products manufactured
Important to know
- Applications cannot be amended once submitted.
- There is one application window each year.
- Supporting evidence should be gathered before applications open.
What happens if your application is approved?
If your application is approved, DBIST will confirm the exemption level that applies and share the details with EDF.
EDF will then update your billing so approved exemptions can be applied where applicable.
When to contact EDF
Most businesses will apply directly through the government process and do not need EDF involvement.
If your site has a private network or landlord network, there is detailed guidance on how to apply. If you need further help interpreting this, please contact your account manager.
BICS and the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) scheme
BICS is separate from the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) scheme.
While both schemes are intended to reduce certain electricity policy costs, they have different:
- Eligibility criteria
- Application processes
- Timescales
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to apply for BICS?
Businesses must apply directly to DBIST. Electricity suppliers cannot submit applications on behalf of customers.
When do applications open and close?
Applications open on 1 October 2026 and close at 23:59 on 30 November 2026.
How do I check whether my business may be eligible?
Use the government's Eligibility Checker. It provides an indication of eligibility but does not confirm qualification.
What information will I need?
You may need:
- Companies House number
- MPANs
- Six months of electricity bills
- Evidence of products manufactured
- Evidence of manufacturing activity
Can EDF tell me if my business is eligible?
No. Eligibility decisions are made solely by DBIST.
When should I contact EDF?
Most businesses will apply directly through the government process and do not need EDF involvement.
If your site has a private network or landlord network, there is detailed guidance on how to apply. If you need further help interpreting this, please contact your account manager.
What happens if my application is approved?
DBIST will confirm the exemption level and share the information with EDF so relevant billing updates can be applied.
When will savings be applied?
For approved applications:
- RO and FiT exemptions are expected from April 2027
- Capacity Market exemptions are expected from October 2027
What if I miss the application window?
There is no mid-year entry into the scheme. Applications must be submitted during the published application period.
Is BICS the same as the EII scheme?
No. BICS is a separate government scheme with different eligibility criteria and application requirements.
Can I apply for BICs if I’m receiving EII exemptions?
No, your business cannot apply for and receive exemptions under both the Energy Intensive Industries (EII Exemption Scheme Support) and the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) for the same electricity costs, as the government explicitly prohibits duplicating or double counting these overlapping policy reliefs. You need to choose one scheme.
Next steps
- Check your eligibility
- Gather supporting evidence
- Apply from 1 October 2026
- Await DBIST's decision
