Cut costs and support a greener grid with Hourly Matching Credit
Non-commodity energy costs are rising, putting increasing pressure on business energy budgets. At the same time, organisations are under greater scrutiny to prove their sustainability credentials and reduce carbon emissions in a meaningful way.
That’s where Hourly Matching Credit (HMC) comes in. This innovative product rewards businesses for using electricity at the same time renewable generators are producing it – helping lower costs while supporting a cleaner, more flexible grid.
In this article, we’ll explain what Hourly Matching Credit is, how it works, why it matters, and how to decide which product is right for your business.
What is Hourly Matching Credit and how does it work?
Hourly Matching Credit is our scheme that rewards businesses when their electricity usage overlaps with renewable generation in the same half-hour period. When this happens, certain third-party subsidy charges can be avoided and passed back to customers as credits.
In simple terms, the closer your electricity demand aligns with renewable generation, the greater the opportunity to reduce costs.
Why is Hourly Matching Credit important?
As more renewable energy comes onto the grid, balancing supply and demand in real time becomes increasingly important. When electricity demand and renewable generation are better aligned, the grid becomes less reliant on fossil fuel power during peak periods – helping create a lower-carbon, more efficient energy system for everyone.
Hourly Matching Credit is designed to encourage that behaviour on both sides.
For renewable generators, it helps create fairer returns when their electricity is most valuable and most needed. That matters because better rewards for renewable generation can help encourage further investment in new renewable projects – supporting the long-term growth of greener energy in the UK.
For businesses, HMC rewards more sustainable, flexible energy use by encouraging electricity consumption to better align with renewable generation. In return, businesses can benefit from lower non-commodity costs while gaining greater confidence that their energy is genuinely supporting renewable power.
That closer relationship between generation and demand is an important stepping stone towards a greener, more flexible electricity grid – one that works better for businesses, generators and the transition to net zero.
How do I choose the right product for my business?
Recognising that different businesses have different priorities around budgeting, forecasting and risk, we’ve created three ways to join HMC: HMC Variable, HMC Secure and HMC Fix. Here’s how to choose the right product for you:
Hourly Matching Credit: Variable
Best for: Businesses looking to maximise potential savings and comfortable with variable returns.
If your business is comfortable with some variability in exchange for potentially higher savings, HMC Variable could be a strong fit. Because payments reflect actual matching performance, there’s greater upside potential — but less certainty month to month. This may suit businesses with flexible budgeting or energy managers focused on maximising long-term value.
Hourly Matching Credit: Secure
Best for: Businesses wanting a balance between cost certainty and additional value.
For organisations that prioritise predictable budgeting, HMC Secure offers a balance between value and stability. You’ll receive regular monthly credits at a guaranteed rate, alongside a final reconciliation payment at the end of the contract term. This option can work well for businesses wanting clearer forecasting without giving up the opportunity for additional value.
Hourly Matching Credit: Fix
Best for: Businesses that need accurate and predictable monthly billing.
If simplicity and budget certainty are your main goals, HMC Fix provides a fixed credit structure throughout your contract. This makes it easier to forecast energy costs and manage budgets with confidence.
Next steps
As energy markets continue to evolve, businesses are looking for solutions that combine cost control with genuine sustainability impact. Hourly Matching Credit does both – rewarding businesses for aligning their electricity use with renewable generation while helping build a greener, more flexible energy system.
So, if you’re looking for greener energy with more controlled costs, please get in touch to find out which Hourly Matching Credit product could work best for your business.
