Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme | Utilityfair

30-Second Overview

The Irish Government’s Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) provided financial support to businesses experiencing significant increases in energy costs between September 2022 and July 2023. It covered up to 50% of eligible electricity and gas bill increases, and capped at €15,000/month per location (or €45,000 across multiple sites).

What was the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme?

Announced in Budget 2023, TBESS was a €1.25 billion state-funded initiative, administered via Revenue Online Service (ROS), designed to assist businesses facing steep rises in energy costs.

This initiative was triggered largely by global energy shocks and domestic inflation.
The first payment can be backdated to September 2022 and the Scheme continued up until 31 July 2023.

Why It Matters (and Why Businesses Are Still Talking About It)

Although TBESS has now expired, it represents an important financial lifeline for businesses during a period of severe energy inflation. Looking ahead, many Irish businesses are still reviewing their energy procurement, MIC settings, and long-term cost-optimization strategies that can yield savings beyond government support

How Much did the TBESS Scheme Pay to Businesses?

How Much Could a Business Claim?

Claim Period	% of Eligible Costs	Max Claim per Month
Sep 2022 – Feb 2023	40%	Up to €15,000 (single location)
Mar 2023 – Jul 2023	50%	Still capped at €15,000; up to €45,000 for multiple locations

In May 2023, the Government announced several enhancements to the TBESS Scheme:

The extension of the TBESS scheme to 31 July 2023.
An increase in the monthly limit on payments for claim periods from 1 March 2023 onwards (a business could claim up to a monthly limit of €15,000 for single locations or €45,000 for multiple locations).
A reduction of the energy costs threshold from 50% to 30%, with effect from 1 September 2022 (businesses that experienced an increase of more than 30 percent in their electricity and gas unit costs qualified).
An increase in the Temporary Business Energy Payment (TBEP) amount from 40% to 50% of a business’ eligible costs from 1 March 2023.
An extension of the time limit for all claims to 30 September 2023.

Who was Eligible to Receive TBESS Support?

The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme was aimed at businesses whose average electricity unit price or gas unit price has risen by over 30% compared with their average unit price in 2021. The following eligibility criteria apply:

Must trade under Case I or Case II taxation (e.g. retailers, pubs, medical practices, professional services).
Certain charities and approved sporting bodies may qualify.
Must demonstrate a 30%+ increase in energy unit costs compared to the previous year.
Must be tax compliant with valid tax clearance certificates

This means that companies, sole traders, self-employed individuals, and partnerships were included within the scope of the Scheme.

Case I - businesses such as hotels, retail shops, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, entertainment venues, food and drinks suppliers, farmers, etc were eligible to receive support under the Scheme.
Case II - professional services were also eligible to receive support. This included medical practices, dentists, opticians, solicitors, engineers, architects, and financial advisers.

New energy customers that did not have a reference bill from 12 months ago were also included in the Scheme and could use a deemed reference unit price supplied to the Revenue Commissioners by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). This could occur if a business had moved premises, has a new electricity or gas connection, or commenced trading within the previous 12 months.

Businesses could use Revenue’s online calculator to determine the increase in their energy bills and calculate the potential payment under the TBESS Scheme.

How to Make a TBESS Claim?

The Business Energy Support Scheme was administered by the Revenue Commissioners and operated on a self-assessment basis. Businesses were required to register for the scheme and to make claims within the required time limits.

Register on Revenue Online Service (ROS) under the TBESS mechanism.
Provide details of energy bills for both the claim and reference periods.
Use Revenue’s TBESS calculator to determine eligible monthly claims.
Submit for each calendar month between September 2022 and July 2023.
Final deadline for all claim submissions was 30 September 2023

Revenue Commissioners published a step-by-step guide on how to register and make a claim. You can find it by clicking here.

Eligible businesses could make claims relating to each calendar month from 1 September 2022 to 31 July 2023.

How to Reduce Business Energy Bills (2025 Guide):

Rising electricity and gas prices continue to pressure Irish businesses, even after the end of schemes like TBESS. At UtilityFair, we specialise in helping companies take control of their energy spend - not just in emergencies, but for the long term. Here’s how we help:

Our experts conduct a comprehensive review of your current energy contracts, usage patterns, and tariff structures. We identify hidden costs, overcharges, and inefficient plans - and show you exactly where savings can be made.
We compare a wide range of commercial electricity and gas suppliers in Ireland, ensuring your business gets the best deal available.
With Utilityfair, you’re not left in the dark. We provide ongoing bill monitoring, contract renewal alerts, and market trend updates, ensuring you stay ahead of price hikes and contract traps.

👉 Ready to start saving?
Fill out our enquiry form, click the link below or call 01 547 0999 to speak with a Utilityfair energy expert.