SSE business customers will have access to a £15 million support fund to help them pay their energy bills this winter.
The retailer said it is setting up the fund to assist struggling businesses in the absence of government support.
The package of measures includes the extension of payment term options for struggling customers and shielding some customers from non-commodity industry charges.
Customers on longer-term fixed contracts that signed up between 1 August and 31 December 2022 will be eligible for the support.
While some businesses continue to receive government bill support through the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS), SSE said the level of support that most businesses receive this winter will likely be lower than last winter.
Nikki Flanders, managing director of SSE customer businesses, said: “With government energy support winding down, we believe this is the right time to step up our customer support by providing a dedicated fund.
“Despite the fact that wholesale energy prices have fallen considerably from last year’s highs, they still remain double the historic norm, which we understand is challenging for many businesses.
“Combined with the existing support for our customers, this represents the most comprehensive package of financial assistance to help businesses with their energy bills anywhere in the GB non-domestic market.”
Direct recipients of money from the fund will include:
- Around 20,000 customers on fixed-term energy contracts agreed between 1 August and 31 December 2022. These customers will be credited with £500 to their account or 25% of their estimated annual bill, whichever is lower.
- Around 8,000 businesses with registered charitable status will receive a £500 credit to their account.
- Domestic-like premises on non-domestic contracts or businesses in buildings with a shared residential purpose, such as a pub with a flat above, that are in debt. These customers will be credited with £500 to their account or 25% of their estimated annual bill, whichever is lower.
SSE will automatically apply support to the bills of eligible customers from 1 October 2023 and 31 March 2024 and write to them directly.
The company will also encourage businesses to improve energy efficiency measures and to install smart meters.