Is your business eligible for BICS? Criteria explained

Not every manufacturer will qualify for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS).

Around 10,000 organisations could benefit from the scheme, but meeting the criteria isn't always straightforward.

Eligibility depends on the industry you operate in, the products you manufacture and how much electricity your site uses.

Applications are open until 11:59pm on 30th November 2026. If your business could qualify, it's important to understand the requirements and apply before the deadline.

In this article:

• Learn which businesses BICS is aimed at helping.
• Understand the eligibility criteria for BICS.
• Discover key dates for BICS, including when you need to apply.

Who is BICS for?

BICS is aimed at manufacturers in Great Britain operating in specific industries, known as frontier and foundational sectors.

The Government says the scheme will help "boost competitiveness, encourage investment and support high-quality manufacturing jobs across Great Britain".

As mentioned, around 10,000 organisations could be eligible for support, exempting them from the indirect costs of three electricity schemes.

Is your business eligible to receive BICS?

Check your eligibility for BICS on GOV.UK.

To qualify for BICS, businesses must meet four main criteria:

1. Be registered on Companies House.

If your business isn't registered with Companies House, you'll need to understand whether it can meet this requirement before applying.

2. Operate within an eligible sector.

Eligible sectors are identified using the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2007 system. Your business must have the relevant SIC code registered with Companies House, unless it is exempt from this requirement.

3. Manufacture eligible products in Great Britain.

Eligible products are goods produced by manufacturing frontier and foundational industries. The Government identifies these products using Harmonised System (HS) codes, which classify goods for international trade.

4. Use at least 33 megawatt-hours (MWh) of grid-supplied electricity per year at the manufacturing site for which support is being claimed.

Only electricity supplied from the grid counts towards the 33 MWh threshold. Electricity generated on-site, such as through solar panels, does not count towards this requirement.

What level of exemption will my site receive?

The level of exemption depends on the proportion of a site's total electricity consumption used for eligible manufacturing activities. The thresholds are:

• 25% or less: no exemption.
• More than 25% up to and including 50%: 50% exemption.
• More than 50%: 100% exemption.

For example, if 40% of a site's total electricity consumption is used for eligible manufacturing activities, that business will receive a 50% exemption.

If 80% of a site's electricity consumption is used for eligible manufacturing activities, it will receive a 100% exemption from the relevant indirect costs of the three schemes.

What are the key dates to apply for BICS?

• 1st October 2026: BICS application window opens.
• 11:59pm, 30th November 2026: The application window closes.
• Early 2027: Businesses receive confirmation of their eligibility decision.
• April 2027: Exemption from paying the indirect costs of the RO and FiT starts.
• October 2027: Exemption from paying the indirect costs of the CM starts.

How we can help

Business energy is complex. We get it. We can support you.

Troo exists to help businesses make sense of their energy needs, whether you're exploring BICS or reviewing your wider energy arrangements, our team can help you understand your options. 

We are not here to sell you a quick fix. We're here to understand what matters to you, offer clear advice, and take ownership of the hard parts, so energy becomes one less thing to worry about.

Book a free energy health check today for practical advice on business electricity, gas and water procurement, renewable consultancy and our ongoing management services.