⚡ What is a Capacity Review? (For Half-Hourly Electricity Supplies)

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A Capacity Review ensures that your electricity supply capacity — also known as your Agreed Supply Capacity — is correctly aligned with your actual usage needs. This is especially important for businesses with Half-Hourly (HH) electricity meters, where capacity charges are a fixed component of your electricity bill.

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✅ Why It Matters

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Your electricity bill includes a capacity charge, which is based on the level of supply (in kVA) your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) reserves for your site. If this level is too high, you’re overpaying for unused capacity. If it’s too low, you risk penalty charges.

Capacity charges have risen from around 1-3p per kVA per day to an average of 8p per kVA per day in the last few years. If you’ve signed a new electricity contract in the last 3 years, you’re likely being charged 150% more than you were previously.

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🧾 What's Included in a Capacity Review?

 

We will:

• Analyse your HH data (typically 12 months)

• Compare peak demand with your current agreed capacity

• Identify opportunities to:

  • Reduce costs by lowering your capacity

  • Avoid penalties by increasing capacity if you're regularly exceeding your limit

• Liaise with the DNO on your behalf to adjust your capacity where appropriate

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💰 Potential Savings

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A Capacity Review can lead to significant long-term savings by ensuring you're not paying for unused capacity — or avoiding fines for exceeding it. Some businesses save thousands per year.

As an example, if you took just 1 half hourly meter with an agreed capacity of 500, with the average rate of 8p per kVA per day, your annual cost for that capacity is a total of £14,600.

If your maximum demand over the last 12 months is 250, we would propose reducing your agreed capacity to 275. This allows a 10% buffer over your maximum demand.

This would mean a total saving of £6570 per annum for capacity you aren’t using.

Capacity charges are projected to keep increasing. The highest charge I’ve seen currently being levied is 15p per kVA per day.

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📞 Need a Capacity Review?

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We offer a full review service — including data analysis, DNO negotiations, and capacity change support.
Get in touch today to ensure your electricity supply is optimised and cost-efficient.

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Email Address – Jack@JWRConsulting.net

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Phone Number – 07577 277017

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