Energy for Schools Guidance

How state-funded schools and trusts can join Energy for Schools, an alternative to energy procurement, which may save time and money.

Applies to England

About Energy for Schools

Energy for Schools offers schools a simpler, safer way to manage their energy needs by helping schools switch to the same energy contract as the Department for Education (DfE).

DfE manages the contract on behalf of schools through procurement specialists Government Commercial Agency (GCA), formerly Crown Commercial Service. On the current contract, referred to as V30 or the V30 basket, electricity is supplied by EDF, and gas is supplied by TotalEnergies.

This service differs from other frameworks because it allows schools to benefit from the bulk purchasing power of a government-wide contract. It also saves schools from pouring over complex energy contracts because DfE handles the paperwork.

Benefits

All central government departments use V30 to compliantly procure their energy supply.

Customers are protected from market volatility and soaring prices because the GCA buys some of the energy up front, during the 30 months prior to delivery, and then during the delivery period itself. This helps to level out the peaks and troughs in price variances.

V30 can also save schools money on both their gas and electricity bills.

If your school joins Energy for Schools, DfE will handle certain contractual responsibilities and administrative paperwork with the new energy suppliers.

This means schools:

• save time by using our simplified onboarding process
• don't have to deal with complex energy contracts
• eliminates the usual requirements around procurement

This process is free to access and use.

The contract

The V30 basket with GCA is a low-risk variable rate contract.

Prices can go up and down, but changes are less drastic than other variable rates. It's the most stable variable rate contract available to schools, although it may not always give you the lowest price.

GCA cannot provide potential customers with energy prices before they join due to commercial sensitivity.

To get an estimate of prices, email dfe-energy.services-team@education.gov.uk and request DfE’s benchmarking service. We’ll provide a price comparison based on your energy bills from the last financial year.

This is a rolling contract, meaning your school will remain on V30 until you give notice to exit. 30 months' notice is required.

Start date

New customers are added to the V30 basket every April, although you can join at any time. Your application date and current contract's expiry date will determine which year you'll join V30, and whether you'll be placed on an interim rate contract.

Application deadline	V30 start dates
12pm, 15 September 2026	1 April 2027
September 2027	1 April 2028

Check your current contract's termination terms and notice period. You'll need to serve out your notice period and inform your supplier if you join Energy for Schools. DfE cannot do this for you.

If your school’s energy contract is already through GCA, DfE will transfer (novate) you onto the new account. In this instance, you’ll not need to give notice to your current supplier.

Interim rate

An interim rate contract is a temporary arrangement. You'll be placed on an interim rate if there's a gap between your current contract's expiry date and the next available start date for V30.

For example, if you apply in October 2025 and your current contract ends on 31 December 2025, you'll join the V30 on 1 April 2027 and be placed on an interim rate between 1 January 2026 and 31 March 2027.

You'll still benefit from all framework protections, including procurement compliance, social value commitments and data security measures.

Interim rates are available on request.

You'll automatically move onto the next available V30 when your interim contract ends.

If you're out of contract and need an immediate energy supply, you'll be placed on interim rates.

Billing

Your electricity and gas invoices will be issued separately by the relevant suppliers.

When your contract starts your new supplier will ask for an opening meter reading. Take the reading on the start date and keep a photo for your records. This helps make sure your first bill is accurate.

Your new supplier will also give you access to a customer portal. It will show your bills, energy rates and how much energy you use.

Compliance

Energy for Schools is a contract and not a procurement process. By joining, you’ll be switching to the GCA framework used by DfE.

The GCA framework complies with the Public Contracts Regulation 2015, the legislation in place at the time the framework was established. It is therefore procurement compliant. Any future changes to the GCA framework will comply with the new Procurement Act.

Schools joining the framework will have complied with DfE’s Buying Procedures and Procurement Law for Schools.

That means you're exempt from the procurement protocol of securing 3 quotes or going out to market.

Considerations

Smart meter installation

Schools and trusts that join Energy for Schools must have smart meters installed if they do not already have them.

Smart meters provide several benefits, including:

• more accurate billing
• improved energy management
• automated meter readings

Your new energy supplier will contact you a few weeks before supply starts to arrange installation.

VAT declaration

You’ll be asked to declare your VAT status when joining Energy for Schools. This is to ensure you’re charged the correct amount of VAT on your energy supplies.

If you’re unsure how much VAT you’re currently charged for gas and electricity, check with your tax advisor. If you’re a local authority-maintained school, check with your local authority.

Renewable energy

The energy supply is from the supplier's standard 'Brown' product. Everyone who uses this supply gets 30-40% renewable energy through the UK power grid. This percentage is increasing as more renewable energy sources are added to the grid.

You can choose to pay more for a product that contains more renewable energy. Email dfe-energy.services-team@education.gov.uk to discuss renewable options.

Energy savings made through renewable energy, such as solar panels, are not factored into this contract. You should continue your current arrangement or contact EDF about setting up a Smart Export Guarantee if you wish to export energy back to the grid.

How to join

All state-funded schools and trusts in England can join Energy for Schools.

Individual schools, like local authority-maintained schools and single academy trusts, can join using the online service.

Multi-academy trusts (MATs) can join by filling in Register your interest form and completing the process offline. A member of the DfE team will then contact you and help you complete the process offline.

Depending on which supply you're switching, you'll need to provide:

• your contract end date
• who your supplier is
• how many meters you have on site, and their numbers (MPRN/ MPAN)
• estimated annual usage per meter in kWh
• your data aggregator, data collector and meter operator, if you have half-hourly meters (ask your current supplier if you're unsure)
• your VAT details, if you pay 5% VAT

DfE will share your information with the new suppliers and send you a confirmation email with details of what happens next.

Objections

In some cases, the current energy supplier may raise an objection to switching contracts. Common reasons for objections include unpaid invoices, incorrect meter numbers or insufficient notice given to terminate the current contract.

DfE will inform you if an objection is raised. You'll need to contact your existing supplier to resolve the issue so that you can switch contracts - DfE does not have the authority to do this for you.

For queries about Energy for Schools or help joining, email dfe-energy.services-team@education.gov.uk