The Standing Charge May Look Different
Look out for the changing Standing Charges on your Energy Contracts
At Unify Energy, we believe that being a true business energy partner means delivering more than just power; it means providing clarity, transparency, and a commitment to "no surprises." That's why we want to talk about an upcoming change in a key national network charge and how we are proactively preparing you for it.
When you receive a new or renewal contract from us, you might notice that the standing charge line appears higher than you've seen in the past. This isn't an arbitrary decision or a new internal cost; it’s a necessary adjustment to transparently reflect a major, foreseeable change in a national infrastructure tariff: the Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charge.
What is TNUoS, and why is it changing?
TNUoS is the tariff mechanism the national grid uses to recover the cost of building and operating the high-voltage transmission network, the superhighways of electricity that span the country. All energy suppliers are charged this tariff, and those costs are ultimately passed on to customers.
The reason for the forecast increase is significant. April 2026 marks the beginning of a new five-year price control period for the national grid, known as RIIO-T3. This new period, set by the regulator, includes plans for substantial, necessary investment in our national transmission assets.
This investment is crucial for the future of the UK's energy system:
Supporting Renewable Connections: It will help connect more renewable energy assets to the grid.
Improving System Resilience: It’s designed to provide increased stability and resilience to the network.
The cost of this vital infrastructure upgrade will be recovered through tariffs, including TNUoS, which is why the standing charges are moving. For business customers, TNUoS charges are currently forecast to rise by an average of around 94% starting from April 2026.
Our Commitment: Transparency and Planning
Our business customers rely on us for stability and clarity, especially when it comes to budgeting. We understand that cost certainty is essential.
Our approach is straightforward, simple, and transparent: we are building the expected TNUoS increase into your contract price now.
Why are we doing this so far in advance? Because we believe that if a future cost is real and foreseeable, it belongs clearly in the contract, not hidden away in the fine print, only to appear as a surprise charge later on. By transparently broadcasting what the expected change in the standing charge is, we are ensuring:
No Surprises: You have full visibility of your total forecast cost from day one.
Accurate Budgeting: You can plan your business finances with confidence based on clear, stable pricing.
The principle we operate under doesn’t change: clear language, a transparent proposition, and respect for your budget process.
We are more than just an energy supplier; we are your business energy partner. If you would like a line-by-line walkthrough of your contract, or simply want more clarity on how the standing charge and unit rate work together, your Unify Energy team is ready to help.
Unify Energy: Transparent by design, proactive by choice.
If you have a new contract and would like to discuss the standing charge line in detail, please contact your dedicated account manager or reach out to us on 0330 058 0580.
