When starting a business or moving into new premises, a reliable energy and gas connection is essential to keep your operations running. Whether you run an office, restaurant, shop or production facility, without electricity and gas everything comes to a halt. In this article we will walk you through the process of applying for a business energy and gas connection. And how to choose the best option for your company and what to look for.
What is a business connection?
A business energy or gas connection is specifically designed for companies, institutions or self employed individuals who consume energy for commercial purposes. These connections are typically more powerful than residential ones as businesses usually have a higher energy demand.
There are two types of connections. Standard connection, this is suitable for small businesses with limited energy needs, such as offices, retail stores or salons. There is also a medium voltage or large consumption connection. This is meant for large companies such as factories or institutions with high electricity or gas usage.
When do you need to apply for a business connection?
You will need to apply for a business energy and gas connection in the following cases:
- You are moving into a newly built or custom built property.
- Your current premises do not yet have utility connections.
- The existing connection is not suitable for your business activities, for example too little capacity.
- You are switching to a new energy supplier with a different type of connection.
Keep in mind: applying for and installing a new connection can take several weeks or even months, depending on your location and the complexity of the job. So it is smart to start the process early.
How to apply for a business energy and gas connection?
The application process consists of several key steps:
- Contact the network operator: the network operator is responsible for the infrastructure, the cables and the pipes. You can’t choose your network operator, it is assigned based on your region.
- Determine your required capacity: the network operator or an installer will work with you to determine how much capacity you need. This depends on your business activities, the number of devices and installations, and your operating hours. Gas requirements are measured in cubic meter per hour m3/h while electricity is measured in kilowatts kW or amps A.
- Request a quote: based on your needs and required capacity the network operator will provide a quote. This will detail the cost of the connection and an estimated timeline. Timelines can vary from a few weeks to several months. This depends on the demand and technical complexity in your region.
- Installation: once you accept the quote the network operator will schedule the work. Cables and pipelines will be installed and a meter cabinet may be installed or upgraded. Make sure your location is accessible and ready for the technicians.
- Choose an energy supplier: once your connection is in place, you will need to choose an energy supplier to provide your electricity and gas. You are free to choose an energy supplier you like, based on pricing, sustainability or service.
What to consider when choosing an energy supplier?
As an business owner you want competitive rates bus also reliability, good service and flexibility. When choosing an energy supplier consider the following steps:
Contract type: fixed or variable rates with or without contract term. Green energy, more and more businesses are choosing sustainable energy sources. Rates and extra fees, pay attention to delivery rates, network costs, taxes and administrative fees. Customer service and support is also important to pay attention to. How quickly can they help you in case of a problem or outage. And finally monitoring tools, some suppliers offer handy dashboards or apps tot track your usage. Using a business energy comparison tool can help you easily compare your options. If you need help? Feel free to contact us.
The costs of a business connection
The cost of a new business connection includes several components. Which includes connection fee, the one-time cost of physically connecting your premises to the grid. Fixed charges are a monthly fee for using the network. You also need to pay usage charges depending on your consumption and agreed rate. And last network operator fees, these are regulated and depend on your region.
Alternatives: temporary connections and upgrades
Sometimes you only need energy or gas temporarily for example for an event, construction site or renovation. In this case you can request a temporary connection, which is flexible and will be removed afterward. Do you already have a connection but is it not strong enough? Then you can request a capacity upgrade. This means your existing connection is adjusted to handle more energy demand.
Business energy and sustainability
More and more companies are investing in sustainable solutions such as solar panels, heat pumps or energy saving measures. Energy suppliers also offer green energy contracts and tailored advice.
When applying for a new connection, consider: the option to feed energy back into the grid (for example with solar panels). A future-proof connection (if your company plans to grow or electrify). Subsidies or tax benefits for energy-efficient investments.
Tips for a smooth application process
- Start early: lead times can be long, especially in busy areas.
- Get expert advice: involve a certified installer of energy consultant.
- Coordinate with your construction schedule: ensure the connection is ready before your business opens.
- Keep documentation: store quotes, agreements, technical specifications and communication.
- Compare offers: especially for large consumption connections, getting multiple quotes can save significant costs.
What can Zakelijke Energietarieven do for you?
We at Zakelijke Energietarieven relieve business owners of all their energy issues. We can help you with all your questions about business energy contracts. You can also contact us with questions about green energy contracts and what the possibilities are for your company. We have been helping international companies for many years.