British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) - Could your business qualify for support?

Eligible businesses may receive full or partial exemptions from specific electricity policy costs, helping improve competitiveness and reduce operating costs. With the application window now open (from 1 October 2026 - 30 November 2026), find out more about the scheme and download our TPI and customer guide below.

As part of the Government's Modern Industrial Strategy, BICS is designed to support eligible manufacturing businesses by providing exemptions from certain electricity policy costs associated with: • Renewables Obligation (RO) • Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) • Capacity Market (CM) The level of support available will depend on eligibility criteria and the proportion of electricity used for qualifying manufacturing activities.

Eligible businesses may receive support worth up to approximately £40/MWh on qualifying electricity consumption. The level of relief will depend on the outcome of the Government's eligibility assessment and whether a site qualifies for an exemption.

BICS is aimed at certain manufacturing businesses operating within sectors identified by Government, including businesses within five of the eight Industrial Strategy growth sectors and certain foundational manufacturing industries.

Potentially eligible sectors include:

• Advanced Manufacturing

• Clean Energy Industries

• Digital and Technologies

• Electricity Networks (manufacturing of components)

• Life Sciences

• Defence

• Chemicals

• Materials

• Composites

• Steel

• Critical Minerals

Being active in one of these sectors does not automatically mean a business qualifies. Eligibility is determined by Government and assessed at an individual site level.

To qualify, businesses must meet a number of requirements, including:

• Operating under an eligible SIC code

• Manufacturing eligible products under qualifying HS codes

• Operating a manufacturing site in Great Britain

• Consuming more than 33 MWh of grid-supplied electricity annually

• Using a sufficient proportion of electricity for eligible manufacturing activities

• Eligibility is assessed by Government, not energy suppliers.

While eligibility decisions are made solely by the UK Government, Shell Energy can help customers understand the scheme, prepare for the application process and understand how approved relief may be reflected within their electricity arrangements. Shell Energy will provide further information regarding implementation for approved applicants ahead of scheme commencement.