Commercial electricity abbreviations explained

There is a tendency for business gas and business electricity suppliers to use acronyms which mean nothing to the average person simply looking to compare business electricity prices. Here's our guide to commercial electricity / gas abbreviations:

ARD (Agreed Read Dispute)

An industry-wide process to resolve problems arising when closing and opening meter readings do not correspond during a switch or change of tenancy.

AMR (Automated Meter Reading)

Available from Smart Meters, these readings provide instant and accurate data about commercial electricity consumption.

AQ or AAQ (Annual Quantity or Annual Agreed Quantity)

An estimate of future consumption of commercial gas, as calculated by the distribution network, Transco.

ASC (Authorised Supply Capacity)

This only applies to Maximum Demand customers and is the commercial electricity 'load' allowed to be taken to run industrial equipment.

CCL (Climate Change Levy)

A charge introduced by the Government in 2001 on commercial electricity and gas, intended to encourage less consumption and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

A greenhouse gas, measured in tonnes, that makes up the Carbon Footprint belonging to each commercial electricity user.

CRC (Carbon Reduction Commitment)

A scheme designed to improve energy efficiency in large organisations and mandatory for the 5,000 biggest commercial electricity users in the UK.

CV (Calorific Value)

A measurement of the energy contained in gas and usually quoted in megajoules per cubic metre (MJ/m3).

DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change)

Created by the Government in 2008 to 'ensure our energy is secure, affordable and efficient'.

EAC (Estimated Annual Consumption)

Similar to AQ but for profiling the consumption of commercial electricity, based on historic billing information. Sometimes known as Calculated Annual Consumption or CAC.

ECOES (Electricity Central Online Enquiry Service)

A service provided by the electricity suppliers and distribution companies which notifies the relevant organisations when someone is switching commercial electricity supplier.

EU ETS (European Union Emissions Trading Scheme)

A scheme to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide to meet targets set out in the Kyoto Protocol.

HH (Half-Hourly)

The name for meters with the profile number '00' that are used by energy-intensive businesses whose average peak electricity demand was greater than 100kW in any three months of the previous year.

KVA (Kilovoltampere)

A unit of power required to run industrial machinery.

KWH (Kilowatthour)

The standard unit to which business electricity charges relate.

LEC (Levy Exemption Certificate)

Issued by Ofgem to exempt the holder from paying Climate Change Levy in addition to business electricity charges.

LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)

Gas cooled so that it condenses into a liquid and can be more easily transported / stored.

MD (Maximum Demand.)

The highest expected load drawn from the network by an intensive commercial electricity user. Maximum Demand meter profile numbers begin with '05, 06 07, 08' and usually have their own types of tariff.

MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number)

Also known as a 'supplier number' or an 'S number', this is the unique identifying number that can be found on a business electricity price bill. The first two digits give your meter profile (03 or 04 for small businesses, 05 to 08 for maximum demand and 00 for half-hourly.