UK business energy usage rose this quarter for the first time in 2025, according to POWWR’s latest Quarterly Energy Barometer Report.
The study reveals average business energy use increased from just over 21 MWh a year to nearly 22 MWh, though overall consumption remains 8.3% lower than the same period in 2024.
London businesses recorded the sharpest quarterly rise in energy use, up 9.1% from 21,286 kWh to 23,224 kWh, making them the second biggest energy consumers in the UK, behind South Scotland (24,234 kWh).
In contrast, companies in the West Midlands and Yorkshire used nearly a quarter less.
“While energy usage has increased for the first time this year, it is still 8.3% less than during the same period last year,” said Matt Tormollen, CEO of POWWR. “Most of the increase was from businesses that use between 30-100 MWh a year. Smaller businesses, by contrast, saw little change and very large businesses that use over 100 MWh per annum actually saw their energy usage drop by over 3.3%.”
Average electricity costs rose by 3.2% over the quarter, with the steepest regional increases in South Scotland (+9%), North East England (+7%), and South Wales (+7%).
Businesses continue to commit to average energy contracts of 28 months, indicating market stability and sustained confidence in longer-term pricing.
POWWR notes that companies can still save over 2% by switching suppliers.
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