FARM METERS & ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES
Farm Electricity Meters, MPANs and Capacity Charges
We'll help you make sense of the paperwork, understand the charges and identify what needs checking.
Farm Electricity Meters, MPANs and Capacity Charges Explained
A farm can have several electricity supplies, each with its own meter arrangements, contract dates and charges.
You might have a grain store, workshop, dairy, poultry building or farm shop using electricity for completely different purposes.
Understanding which supply belongs to which part of your business is often the first step towards getting your energy accounts organised.
And when terms such as MPAN, half-hourly data, kVA and maximum import capacity start appearing on bills, it helps to have someone explain what they actually mean.
Why Does My Farm Have More Than One Electricity Supply?
Different parts of a farm may have separate electricity connections, each with its own meter, MPAN and contract.
This is common where buildings were connected to the grid at different times, where different activities require different supply capacities, or where tenancy arrangements have changed over the years.
Each supply is treated as a separate account by the network operator and the electricity supplier.
That means separate bills, separate contract dates and potentially separate suppliers.
Separate MPANs
Each supply point has its own Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN). This is the unique identifier used by suppliers and network operators.
Separate Contracts
Each MPAN can have its own electricity supplier and contract. You may be with different suppliers for different parts of the farm.
Separate Bills
Each supply generates its own invoices. Keeping track of multiple accounts and renewal dates can be time-consuming.
Separate Charges
Standing charges, capacity charges and unit rates may differ between supplies depending on the meter type and network connection.
We can help you identify all the electricity supplies associated with your farm and organise the account information.
What Is an MPAN and Where Do I Find It?
An MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is a unique 21-digit reference that identifies a specific electricity supply point.
It is sometimes called a Supply Number or S-Number.
You will find the MPAN on your electricity bill, usually in a distinctive grid format.
The MPAN identifies the supply point, not the meter itself. If a meter is replaced, the MPAN usually stays the same.
Top Line
Contains profile class, meter time switch code and line loss factor — technical codes used for billing and settlement.
Bottom Line
The 13-digit core MPAN, preceded by a two-digit distributor identifier. This is the main reference used by suppliers.
Check Digit
The final digit of the core MPAN, used to verify the number has been entered correctly.
Helpful note: If you cannot find the MPAN on your bill, your current supplier can provide it. You can also ask us to help identify the supply details.
What Type of Meter Does My Farm Supply Have?
The type of meter affects how your electricity is measured, how the data is collected and what contract options are available.
Single-Rate and Day/Night Meters
Traditional meters record total consumption or split it into day and night registers.
Readings are taken manually, either by the supplier or by the customer.
These meters are common on smaller farm supplies.
Smart and Advanced Meters
Smart meters send readings automatically to the supplier, removing the need for manual reads.
Advanced meters record consumption in half-hourly intervals and are common on larger supplies.
Half-hourly data gives a more detailed picture of when electricity is being used.
Half-Hourly Mandatory Meters
Supplies with a maximum demand above 100 kW are required to have half-hourly metering.
Half-hourly settled supplies are subject to different market arrangements and contract structures.
Grain drying installations and larger livestock buildings may fall into this category.
CAPACITY CHARGES
What Is Maximum Import Capacity (MIC)?
Maximum Import Capacity (MIC) is the maximum amount of electricity, measured in kVA, that a supply is authorised to import from the network at any one time.
It is agreed with the network operator when the connection is established or modified.
If the MIC is set too high for the actual demand, you may be paying capacity charges for capacity you do not use.
If it is set too low, you may face excess capacity charges when demand exceeds the agreed level.
kWh, kW and kVA — What Is the Difference?
kWh (kilowatt hour)
A unit of energy. This is what appears on your electricity bill as consumption. One kWh is the energy used by a 1 kW appliance running for one hour.
kW (kilowatt)
A unit of power — the rate at which energy is being used at any moment. A 15 kW grain dryer motor draws 15 kW when running.
kVA (kilovolt-ampere)
A measure of apparent power, used for electrical capacity and network connection sizing. For most farm equipment, kVA is broadly similar to kW, but the relationship depends on the power factor of the equipment.
Important: MIC is expressed in kVA, not kWh. It represents the capacity of the connection, not the amount of energy consumed.
Why Do Capacity Charges Matter for Farms?
Farms with large electrical installations — grain dryers, irrigation pumps, refrigeration plant — often have a significant MIC.
Capacity or availability charges are applied by the network operator based on the agreed MIC, regardless of how much electricity is actually consumed.
If the MIC was set when the farm had larger equipment that has since been replaced or removed, it may be worth reviewing whether a reduction is appropriate.
We can help you identify the MIC for each supply and understand how it affects the charges on your bills.
P432 and Half-Hourly Settlement — What Does It Mean for My Farm?
Industry changes under the P432 modification and the broader Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS) programme are changing how electricity consumption data is collected and used for billing.
P432 — Profile Class Migration
P432 is a modification to the electricity market arrangements that moves certain supplies from estimated profile-based settlement to actual half-hourly settlement.
Supplies in profile classes 3 to 8 — which include many agricultural and industrial connections — are being migrated over time.
Once migrated, the supply is settled using actual half-hourly meter data rather than an estimated consumption profile.
Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement (MHHS)
MHHS is a broader programme to move all electricity supplies to half-hourly settlement over time.
It is intended to improve the accuracy of billing and support more flexible tariff structures.
The programme is being implemented in stages. Not all supplies will be affected at the same time.
If your supply is being migrated, your supplier should notify you. Contact us if you have questions about what the change means for your farm.
Six Things to Check on Your Farm Electricity Bill
The following points are worth checking on each electricity bill for each supply on your farm.
MPAN
Confirm the MPAN on the bill matches the supply you expect. Errors in account administration can result in bills being sent to the wrong account.
Meter Readings
Check that the opening and closing readings are consistent with the meter at the premises. Query estimated readings if actual reads are available.
Unit Rate and Standing Charge
Confirm the rates match your contract. If the contract has ended, check what rate is being applied and whether it is correct.
Capacity or Availability Charges
Identify any capacity or availability charges and check they correspond to the agreed MIC for the supply.
VAT and CCL
Check that VAT and Climate Change Levy are applied at the correct rates. Agricultural supplies may qualify for reduced rates in certain circumstances.
Contract End Date
Note the contract end date if shown. Check whether a renewal notice is required and when it must be submitted.
If something on the bill doesn't look right, it's worth raising it with the supplier promptly.
We can help you review the bill, identify what to question and communicate with the supplier if needed.