Manufacturing businesses across Greater Lincolnshire are being encouraged to check whether they could benefit from the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, ahead of applications opening on 1 October 2026.
The government scheme is being introduced to help eligible manufacturing businesses reduce their electricity costs and become more competitive. From 2027, eligible manufacturers could see their electricity costs reduced by up to £40 per megawatt hour.
The support will be available to eligible manufacturers operating within the government’s priority growth sectors, as well as foundational manufacturing industries that provide important products and materials to these sectors.
How could the scheme help your business?
For manufacturing businesses with high electricity use, energy costs can have a significant impact on operating costs, investment and growth.
The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce these costs by exempting eligible businesses from some of the charges currently included within electricity bills. These relate to government policies supporting renewable energy generation and maintaining electricity capacity.
To qualify, businesses will need to meet several eligibility requirements. This includes being registered with Companies House, operating within an eligible manufacturing sector, producing an eligible product and meeting the minimum electricity usage requirement.
Individual manufacturing sites must use at least 33 megawatt hours of electricity supplied through the grid each year to qualify.
The government has created an online eligibility checker to help businesses understand whether they are likely to qualify. Manufacturers are encouraged to check their eligibility and start preparing the information they may need before applications open.
Applications open on 1 October 2026 and close on 30 November 2026.
Check your eligibility and find out more about the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme
Webinar for manufacturers
Businesses can also attend an upcoming webinars to find out more and prepare for the application process.
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade will hold a Business Information Webinar on 15 September 2026, covering eligibility, the online checker, application requirements and important dates.
Register for the 15 September webinar
Further support for Greater Lincolnshire manufacturers
If you are looking at wider ways to reduce costs, improve productivity or grow your manufacturing business, additional fully funded support is available through the Greater Lincolnshire Manufacturing Accelerator.
The programme provides specialist support for manufacturing businesses across Greater Lincolnshire, helping businesses improve productivity, adopt new technologies and strengthen their operations.
Find out more about the Greater Lincolnshire Manufacturing Accelerator