If you run a UK business with more than 5 sites, your energy procurement strategy is fundamentally different from a single-meter SME. Multi-site business energy meters can be aggregated, tendered as a single portfolio, contracted under a master framework and benchmarked at portfolio level. This guide explains the four main multi-site structures and how to pick the right one.
Why aggregate multi-site energy procurement?
Three reasons:
- Volume discount: Suppliers offer 0.5-1.5p/kWh better unit rates for 10+ meter portfolios.
- Reduced admin: One renewal date, one contract, one supplier relationship instead of 10-100 separate ones.
- Portfolio reporting: Single dashboard for ESG / Scope 2 reporting across all sites.
The four multi-site contract structures
1. Pan-portfolio fixed contract
One contract, one supplier, one unit rate (or a small number of bands by site type) covering all meters. Simplest to manage. Best for portfolios of 5-50 meters with similar usage profiles.
2. Master framework with site call-offs
Master agreement with one or more suppliers; individual sites are called off as their previous contracts end. Lets you onboard sites at staggered times. Best for portfolios of 20-200 meters with varied contract end dates.
3. Basket trading / flexible portfolio
The whole portfolio sits in a single basket; you fix portions of the volume against wholesale over time. Best for portfolios over 20 GWh/year with sophisticated buyers.
4. Best-of-tender per site
You tender each site individually but use the portfolio scale to attract more competitive responses. Loses the admin simplicity of a single contract but maximises per-site optimisation. Best for portfolios where site characteristics vary widely (e.g. one office plus one factory).
Multi-site challenges and how to handle them
Staggered contract end dates
The biggest practical issue. Portfolios with 50 meters typically have 50 different end dates. Two solutions: (a) wait 12 months for all contracts to end naturally then aggregate; (b) buy out the most expensive contracts early to align end dates.
Mixed metering (NHH + HH + smart)
Suppliers price NHH and HH meters differently. Most multi-site contracts band by meter type within the framework.
Site openings and closures
Master frameworks should explicitly cover the addition and removal of sites mid-contract, with pre-agreed pricing rules.
Site-level billing and recharge
For franchise-style businesses, each site needs its own bill. Suppliers can split a single master contract into per-site bills via consolidated billing platforms.
Multi-site procurement step by step
- Build a meter list: MPAN/MPRN, address, current supplier, contract end date, last 12 months kWh.
- Decide structure (pan-portfolio / master framework / basket / per-site).
- Tender to 4-8 suppliers with portfolio data pack.
- Evaluate on total cost, contract terms, billing capability, ESG fit.
- Award and migrate sites in tranches as contracts expire.
- Establish portfolio-level reporting and monthly billing validation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically 0.5-1.5p/kWh on the unit rate plus 1-3% on admin overhead. For a 100-meter portfolio at 250k kWh per meter, that is roughly £125-300k/year of savings.
Only if all your sites have the same contract end date or you are willing to pay early-termination fees on the early-ending contracts. Most multi-site portfolios use a staggered migration plan over 12-24 months.
A master agreement signed with one or more suppliers that defines the price-setting rules and contract terms. Individual sites are then “called off” the master as they become available, without re-tendering.
No — multi-site contracts work for any meter mix. Suppliers band their pricing by meter type within the framework so NHH and HH sites get appropriate rates.
The master framework should explicitly cover additions and removals, typically with pre-agreed pricing rules and 28-day notice periods either way. Negotiate this upfront — mid-contract is too late.
Need help structuring a multi-site portfolio? Get a free 60-second initial review covering aggregation, supplier shortlist and migration plan.
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