GDF Suez

The GDF Suez Checklist

Security

• Are their prices fully fixed? Provide options of fully fixed, partial or full pass through
• Do they include metering and transportation costs in the price? Yes
• Do they include FIT and RO and CFD in the price? CFD is not currently included
• What is their back billing policy? Awaiting Clarification from GDF Suez
• Do they require a letter of authority? Yes
• Does the contract lapse on change of tenancy? Yes

Transparency

• Is your contract end date on the invoice? Yes
• Is your termination date on the invoice? No
• When will your renewal letter arrive? 60 days before end date
• When do you need to terminate?At least 60 days before end date
• Do they require termination letter by recorded delivery? No
• Will they rollover your contract? No
• How high are the out of contract rates? 19.95p/kWh for electricity and 4.42p/kWh for Gas

Convenience

• Do they mandate Direct Debit payment terms? No
• What are their Direct Debit terms? Variable, Monthly
• Do they offer Cash / Cheque payment terms? Yes
• Do they support reduced rate VAT declaration? Yes
• Do they bill monthly or quarterly? Monthly
• Do they provide online billing? No

Services

• Do they install smart meters as part of the supply contract? Yes
• Do they support existing smart meters with full functionality? Yes
• Do they provide New Connection & Upgrade Services? Yes
• Do they support IGT meters? Yes
• Do they support all electricity profiles including half hourly? Yes
• Do they support related and aggregated meters? Yes

Environmental

• Do they offer green and renewable products? Yes
• What is their Fuel Mix? 33% Gas, 2% Nuclear, 38% Coal, 26% Renewable

Other things to know about GDF Suez

The Leeds based business:

• Offers both fixed and flexible energy products
• Offers renewable energy options
• Supports embedded generation owners in selling their energy to market

Security

Contract information: for customers consuming less than 5GWH of electricity per annum or 7.5GWH of gas per annum

• GDF Rolling Electricity T&C’s
• GDF Rolling Gas T&C’s

or customers consuming more than 5GWH of electricity per annum or 7.5GWH of gas per annum

• GDF Fixed Electricity T&C’s
• GDF Fixed Gas T&C’s

GDF Suez offer the option of fixed price contracts where all elements are fully fixed as well as offering contracts with partial and full pass through of third party costs. However GDF Suez standard terms allow the pass through of all changes to the cost of supplying the contract; this includes the cost of the energy and third party charges. This means that when you agree a standard contract with GDF Suez the price can change through the contract term to reflect additional costs. *GDF Suez’s contracts however do not contain CFD regardless of the contract option. This is charged on top of the agreed contract rates.

• Commodity: Inclusive, Variable
• Transportation: Inclusive, Variable
• Metering: Inclusive, Variable
• FIT: Inclusive, Variable (Electricity only)
• RO: Inclusive, Variable (Electricity only)
• CFD: Excluded, Variable (Electricity only)

GDF Suez also reserves the right to amend the terms of the contract in exceptional circumstances. These include:

• Where a change in law occurs affecting delivery of the contract.
• Where the customer fails to fulfil their obligations under the contract.
• Where gas customers fail to use the stated consumption under the terms of the contract.
• Where the installed metering system changes.

To find out more visit our Guide to Fixed Prices. Back billing and GDF Suez Many suppliers are signed up to the Energy UK Back Billing standards and as a result have limited the maximum period for which they can raise a back bill. Indeed some suppliers have voluntarily limited their back billing rights to two years and in some cases a single year. Equally a number of suppliers are not signed up to the Energy UK Back Billing standards and therefore, under the Limitations Act, are indeed able to back bill their customers for anything up to 6 years.

We are awaiting confirmation of GDF Suez’s policy on back billing.

To find out more visit our Guide to Back billing. GDF Suez and Letters of Authority In order to act on your behalf in securing your business a great energy deal GDF Suez require us to have a signed Letter of Authority from yourselves. The fastest way to authorise us to work on your energy supply arrangements is to use our eSign service to agree our Evergreen Letter of Authority. Change of Tenancy and GDF Suez Moving into a premise is known as a Change of Tenancy in the business energy market. It has also been termed a Change of Occupier or is known by its acronyms CoT and COO. However it is referred to, the opportunities it opens up are the same. This is great news for deal seekers. Whilst the existing supplier is obliged to continue to provide energy to the new occupier, the occupier is not obliged to take out an extended contract with that supplier. Indeed a Change of Tenancy customer has total freedom of movement and is free to accept a contract with a supplier of their choice There are however of course a number of rules and requirements. Firstly, as the new occupier, if you use energy you will need to pay for it, regardless of your contractual status. Secondly, you will need to identify as quickly as possible the identity of the existing supplier Thirdly, you will need to field calls from sales organisations and the existing supplier themselves offering you contracts of varying lengths to continue or to begin to supply the premises. As a result as a new occupier you will need to agree a new contract either with the existing supplier or with a new supplier of your choice. Not only that but you will need to inform the existing supplier as quickly as possible that you are the new tenant to prevent you being held liable for charges incurred by the previous occupier should they not have ended their agreement satisfactory. It can prove a real headache knowing whom to trust – whether it’s the old tenant, the landlord the current supplier, the pushy salesman ringing, knocking and emailing, the prospective new suppliers. That’s where Business Juice comes in, by working on your behalf, identifying your existing supply arrangements, reporting your change of tenancy, ensuring you are not held liable for costs not incurred before your occupation and benchmarking contracts for your selection we can help you save time, money and a whole lot of stress. The fastest way to authorise us to work on your energy supply arrangements is to use our eSign service to agree our Evergreen Letter of Authority. We’ll take care of all correspondence, handle all the loose ends and enable you to focus on establishing your business in its new premise. And what’s more once your contract is in place we’ll manage your supplier relationship from beginning to end, all part of the Business Juice service.

Business Juice Top Tip Always ensure that you take opening meter readings on the day, or as close as possible to the day, that you move into the premises to ensure that you only pay for the energy that you use.

Transparency

We are awaiting confirmation of GDF Suez’s policy on presented contract end dates on their invoices. If in doubt feel free to fax us your bill on 0845 387 5701 or send it to hello@businessjuice.co.uk and we will help locate the information for you. GDF Suez sends their renewal letter to customers around 60 days in advance of the contract end date. This will contain GDF Suez’s proposal for your rates for the coming period. It may provide a variety of options or a single price. It will however not be the most competitive price available in the market as the renewal letter is designed for customers who don’t use an energy broker and as such are priced at a higher level than can be obtained in the market.

Business Juice Top Tip Every Business Juice client receives a unique key facts statement detailing all there is to know about their energy contract including all the important dates relative to your deal. Sign up today and take control with Business Juice.

Terminating with GDF Suez

You are required by GDF Suez to provide written notice at least 60 days before your contract ends of your intent to terminate your contract at the end of its fixed period.

Business Juice Top Tip Terminating your contract is key to gaining freedom of movement and having access to the best deals for your next business energy contract. It pays to always be aware of your termination obligations so as to ensure that you act as soon as conditions allow in order to help you get the best out of the business energy market. Or better still sign up for our evergreen letter of authority and we will terminate on your behalf well ahead of time and provide you with a range of market leading options at the right time to suit your business.

Rollover Contracts and GDF Suez

GDF Suez do not operate a policy of selling auto-rollover contracts. However at contract end, if you have not accepted their renewal offers you will be placed on Out of contract rates. These Out of contract rates will be more expensive than a “Fixed Price Plan” but will allow you to leave without notice. Of course it makes sense not to get to this point in the first place and so contracting well in advance is always recommended as even a short term stay on a out of contract rates will be significantly more expensive than other options. At least however you can be safe in the knowledge that if you do make a mistake and fail to contract properly the cost of your error can be minimised. However by using Business Juice you can avoid the potentially costly mistake of being exposed to out of contract rates. To find out more about rollovers visit our Guide to Rollover Contracts. Terminating but remaining on supply with GDF Suez If you have provided termination notice to GDF Suez and expressed your intent for freedom of movement at contract end but you fail to leave GDF Suez’s supply you will be placed on GDF Suez’s out of contract rates. Don’t be caught out! By using Business Juice to manage your energy contracts we will terminate and manage your new contract seamlessly to ensure you avoid penalty rates. GDF Suez and Out of Contract Rates As at their release date of 1^st April 2014, a GDF Suez non half hourly electricity customer will be required to pay 19.95p/kWh for each unit of electricity used whilst out of contract and a standing charge of £23 per month for profile 1-4 customers and £70 per month for profiles 5-8. For gas customers this would be 4.42p/kWh and £60/site/month plus pass through of transportation and metering costs. Even one week exposed to this level of charges mounts up, that’s why clients taking our contract life management service makes sense: removing your exposure risk and letting you focus on your business confident in the knowledge that your energy contracts are in safe hands. To find out more visit our Guide to Out of Contract Rates

Convenience

GDF Suez accept Direct Debit, Cash/Cheque and BACS payment terms. To find out more visit our Guide to Supplier Payment Terms. To find out if your business is eligible for paying the reduced rate of VAT on your business energy bill visit our Guide to VAT Declaration. GDF Suez operate a policy of billing their customers on a monthly basis. GDF Suez and Online Billing GDF Suez do not currently offer their customers online billing This means GDF Suez customers will continue to receive paper invoices. Where to find your metering information on your GDF Suez bill We are currently awaiting clarification of GDF Suez’s policy on locating metering information on invoices.

Services

GDF Suez & Smart Meters GDF Suez provide smart metering as standard within all of their contracts meaning the end of estimated bills as well as providing the foundation for a more energy efficient business. GDF Suez & New Connections and Upgrade services GDF Suez offer new connections and upgrade services to all customers and what’s more, unlike most suppliers, they do not require you to sign into long term contracts to receive these services. You can even go one step better and by appointing Business Juice to manage your energy contracts you can take advantage of our management fee free new connections and upgrades offer. GDF Suez & IGT Meters GDF Suez support meters supplied via IGT networks (Independent Gas Transporter). If your gas supply is delivered via an IGT network then unlike some suppliers GDF Suez can offer you a gas supply contract. However the meter will require a bespoke priced gas supply contract. GDF Suez & Supporting Meter Types GDF Suez support all meter types including Half Hourly (HH), Maximum Demand (MD), Seasonal Time of Day (STOD) and standard profile meters as well as ‘related’ and ‘aggregated’ meters.

Environmental

Green & Renewable products from GDF Suez GDF Suez provide renewable and green energy products within their portfolio as well as offering smart metering solutions to help your business use less energy. GDF Suez and Fuel Mix For the reporting period 2013/14, GDF Suez’ Fuel Mix was:

• Coal: 38%
• Gas: 33%
• Nuclear: 2%
• Renewable: 26%
• Other sources: 1%

And produced CO2 of 486.68g/kWh and High Level Radioactive Waste of 0.000153g/kWh Over the same period the national average was:

• Coal: 34.0%
• Gas: 25.6%
• Nuclear: 21.6%
• Renewable: 16.7%
• Other sources: 2.1%

Producing CO2 of 428g/kWh and High Level Radioactive Waste of 0.0017g/kWh

Business Juice Top Tip By selecting a supplier with a fuel mix that suits your business’ environmental credentials you can gain access to a renewable solution without paying premium green prices. By using Business Juice we can match up your needs with appropriate the fuel mix and enable your business to take support renewable initiatives.

To find out more visit our Guide to Fuel Mix.

Getting in touch

Does GDF Suez sound like the business energy supplier you’re looking for? If so call now on 0800 051 5770 or alternatively the fastest way to authorise us to work on your energy supply arrangements is to use our eSign service to agree our Evergreen Letter of Authority. Not sure if GDF Suez is right for you? If you’re looking at switching your energy supplier, we’re here to help you determine whether GDF Suez is right for you. We take the research, negotiation and paperwork off your hands and help you switch to a better deal with your choice of new energy supplier. How we help you switch your business energy supplier. Our team of energy experts can help you determine whether GDF Suez is going to be the right supplier for you. The service we provide is independent and impartial, making sure that you get exactly the right deal for your business.