The key to unlocking substantial savings on your commercial energy bill is switching your commercial electricity contract at the right time. The second half of 2025 witnessed some calm after the turbulent 2023 and 2024 prices of wholesale electricity.
The calm of 2026 now presents a better opportunity for businesses to review and switch their commercial electricity contracts, especially for those looking for the best electricity, best energy, and competitive electricity prices. If you ask at the right time to do so, it is now, before the next period of turbulence hits.
Here is a suggested game plan for those seeking answers to: when is the best time to make your move in 2026?
This is the golden rule of energy switching. Fixed-term contracts typically last for 12 months to 36 months and include a renewal window that opens up to 12 months prior to the contract’s end date. If you don’t notify your supplier in time, you can be switched to an expensive out-of-contract (OOC) or deemed rate, which can increase your energy bill by 60% – 80% compared to a competitively tendered fixed-rate contract.
In 2025, we helped dozens of clients who had mistakenly rolled over to OOC rates, who were paying more than £0.45/kWh instead of the £0.22/kWh to £0.26/kWh rates we ultimately secured for them by offering customised energy solutions based on their specific company energy requirements.
In our long-standing experience of the energy business, we have observed that usually the discounted forward-buying prospects appear during January or June. Demand has dropped, while renewable and new energy output is rising because of longer days and stronger winds. This makes these months ideal for anyone planning to switch power or explore better contracts through the best energy procurement approach.
Suppliers wish to lock in volume before the winter contract rush. In 2025, contracts signed in the second quarter cost 8 to 12% less on average than those signed in the fourth quarter for the same delivery period.
If your contract is expiring between October and March, it’s wiser to start hunting for a new agreement well in advance to dodge the last-minute 30–60 day rush. Ideally, you should begin looking before summer ends. When you change your providers close to winter, it can often mean higher electricity prices for your business.
With several older gas plants shutting down routinely in the winter of 2025–2026, it might be even more challenging than ever. If northern Europe experiences a cold spell, LNG supplies could become strained, and there might be a further increase in prices. Suppliers factor these risks into their pricing, which unfortunately means you will likely end up paying more.
If your contract ends between October and March, start looking for a new deal earlier than the usual 30 to 60 days before it expires. Try to begin before summer is over to avoid the riskier period before winter. Changing contracts close to winter often leads to higher prices.
Winter 2025 to 2026 could be more challenging than last year because older gas plants are closing, and LNG supplies might be tight if northern Europe has a cold season. Suppliers consider these risks when setting prices, so you could end up paying more — even when comparing the best electricity or new energy options available at that time.
Getting it wrong on your energy plan still really hurts your wallet. Businesses that ended up on the standard rates in 2025 saw their bills jump to an average of 48–55 pence per kWh during the colder months.
On the other hand, companies that planned ahead and switched with us locked in much better rates, paying just 23–28 pence per kWh on 24- or 36-month fixed deals. And often, there were no fees for us to worry about because we get paid by the supplier we find for you, not by you.
So, what should you do in 2026? Just grab last month’s energy bill, find your contract end date, and give us a call.
We can figure out in less than ten minutes if you’re already off your contract, approaching renewal time, or perfectly set up to grab one of the best deals we’ve seen in ages.
At E for Energy, we have built our business on being open and honest, plus actually helping you save real money through practical, commercial energy solutions.