Intelligence / Don’t miss the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme application window

Don’t miss the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme application window

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS) application process opens tomorrow (1 October 2026).

The scheme will lower electricity costs by up to £40/MWh* for a range of manufacturing frontier and foundational industries from April 2027. The application window opens from 1 October until 30 November 2026, with eligibility confirmation in January 2027. For a detailed look at the scheme, look at our BICS explainer.

Don’t miss the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme application window - Hero Image

As a reminder, the key requirements for businesses are:

  • Operate within an eligible SIC code; and
  • Produce eligible products confirmed via use of HS6 codes
  • Have a minimum 33MWh/annum per site grid consumption, and
  • Have a Companies House registration

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science, and Trade (BIST) has developed an online eligibility checker which is now live and available. Check if your manufacturing site(s) should be eligible for an electricity discount. It should take only a couple of minutes to check if you’re eligible.

It's also published guidance for scheme applicants.

BIST will be running webinars on 13 October and 17 November, providing walkthroughs of eligibility, evidence and the application process. Use the links to sign up.

*According to Department for Business, Innovation, Science, and Trade (BIST) calculations

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