The UK government has opened public consultations on the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), aimed at reducing energy costs for relevant producers, starting in 2027.
According to BICS, qualified enterprises, especially in sectors such as the steel industry, will be exempt from certain electricity-related charges. The expected result is a reduction in electricity costs of 35-40 pounds per MWh, which could potentially lead to a reduction of up to 25 percent in the cost of industrial electricity bills for participating companies.
Tata Steel UK welcomes BICS as vital to the green future of steel
Tata Steel UK has issued a public statement expressing its strong support for BICS. As one of the largest steel producers in the UK, the company stressed that the scheme could provide critical support during the ongoing transition to low-carbon steel production.
Tom Evans, head of Public Relations at Tata Steel UK, commented: "This scheme has the potential to provide vital support to UK manufacturing as we undertake the most significant transformation in the UK steel industry in recent decades." He noted that reducing electricity costs can level the playing field for industrial energy costs, support long-term growth, and help preserve high-quality jobs across the country.
What's next - consultations, participation rights and implementation
Public consultations on BICS are open until January 19, 2026. During this period, stakeholders, including producers, energy suppliers and
