If you've been keeping an eye on the energy market, you might have heard about something called Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS). But what is it, and how will it affect your business? Let’s break it down.

What Is Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement?

In short, MHHS is the biggest change to the UK energy market since 1996. Starting from April 2025, and rolling out through to the end of 2026, it will transform the way we think about energy usage. Right now, your electricity meter only provides readings periodically, often leading to estimated bills. With MHHS, your meter will take a reading every 30 minutes.

That’s right—every single half hour, across 30 million meters in the UK, a new reading will be recorded.

Why Is This Important?

MHHS brings one big change: no more estimated bills. For businesses, this means better control over your energy use and, crucially, how much you’re paying for it. With accurate half-hourly readings, you'll have access to data that shows exactly how and when your business is using energy.

This allows you to make more informed decisions about your energy contracts, potentially saving you money.

Who’s Affected?

At the moment, there are about 2.6 million electricity meters in the UK’s business sector. Of those, 1.3 million are already settled on a half-hourly basis, while 700,000 are smart meters. That leaves 600,000 meters that will need to be upgraded to either a smart meter or a half-hourly meter.

What Do Businesses Need to Do?

One question on every business owner’s mind is: Will my supplier take care of this, or do I need to act?

The good news is that suppliers will be responsible for rolling out the changes. However, there are a few steps you can take to ensure a smooth transition:

Check Your Meter Type – If you already have a smart meter or are half-hourly settled, you won’t need to do anything. If not, your supplier will be in touch to arrange an upgrade.

Upgrade Early – Instead of waiting until the final rollout dates, you can opt for an early meter upgrade. By doing this, you can start benefiting from half-hourly settlement straight away, giving you insights into your energy usage sooner and allowing you to explore more flexible tariffs.

Stay Informed – Although your supplier will handle the logistics, it's important to stay informed about how these changes could impact your energy bills and contracts

What Can You Do to Prepare?

You might be wondering, "Can I opt out?" Unfortunately, no, this change will affect all businesses. But, here's the good news: you don’t have to wait until the rollout completes. By acting early, you can upgrade to an advanced meter now and start benefiting right away. This gives you an edge in understanding your energy usage before the change becomes mandatory. You’ll be able to shop around for tariffs that match your business's specific energy profile and potentially start saving money ahead of the curve.

At Tritility, we can help you navigate this transition smoothly. Whether you need assistance with meter upgrades or finding the right tariff, we’ve got you covered.

Ready to Take Control of Your Energy Costs?

Don’t wait until the last minute to make the switch. Reach out to us today at info@tritility.com and our team will guide you through the process. We’re here to ensure your business is prepared for MHHS and ready to take full advantage of the cost-saving opportunities it brings.