BICS applications open in October. Are you ready?
With the BICS application window due to open at the start of October, manufacturers planning to apply should already be thinking about the information and evidence they will need to support their application.
Establishing that your business is likely to be eligible is an important first step, but the application itself requires considerably more detail. Manufacturers will need to provide accurate information about their business activities, products, sites and electricity consumption, together with the supporting evidence required to demonstrate that they meet the scheme criteria.
Getting your BICS application right first time
This is where preparation becomes particularly important, because errors, inconsistencies or evidence that does not meet the required standard could put your application at risk. With the potential electricity cost savings available through BICS, you need to be confident that what you submit is accurate and properly supported from the outset.
To help get it right first time, we’ve developed a BICS Application Management System to manage the process from beginning to end, bringing the information, checks and supporting evidence together through six clear stages.
A six-stage BICS application process
With the support of a dedicated Greenfields case worker, our system builds on the work completed during our BICS eligibility assessment, with SIC codes and product information pulling through into the application rather than businesses having to start again.
From there, it works through your site and energy information, reconciles consumption figures, reviews products against their HS codes and identifies non-eligible products or activities that need to be accounted for.
The system also tracks progress against the target application date, giving the manufacturer and Greenfields a clear view of what has been completed and what is still outstanding.
Making sure your BICS evidence is ready
Supporting documentation is a vital part of the BICS application process, so the system provides guidance around the evidence required and helps identify documents that may not be accepted.
This gives manufacturers an opportunity to address potential issues during the preparation process rather than discovering them once the application has been submitted.
Once all six stages have been completed, your Greenfields case worker carries out a final assessment of the application before it’s submitted.
Dedicated support throughout your BICS application
Although technology helps us manage the process, we don't expect manufacturers to navigate it on their own.
Each business is allocated a Greenfields case worker, providing a named point of contact throughout the application who can answer questions, help resolve issues and keep everything moving towards the target date.
For us, that combination of technology and personal support is important. The system helps organise the detail and identify areas that require attention, while our team remains responsible for supporting the client through the process and reviewing the application before submission.
It reflects the wider Greenfields approach of providing clients with experienced people, clear accountability and ongoing support.
Preparing for the BICS application window in October
With the application window opening in October, there is still time to prepare, but we would encourage manufacturers not to wait until the window opens before bringing the information together.
Identifying missing bills, discrepancies in consumption data, questions around product eligibility or gaps in supporting evidence now gives you more time to address them before your application is submitted.
The purpose of our BICS Application Management System is ultimately straightforward: to give manufacturers a structured, fully managed route through the application process and help them get it right first time.
Need help with your BICS application?
Speak to a member of our team to get started on your BICS application.
Or if you are still considering applying for BICS, you can start with our BICS Eligibility Checker, explore the guidance available in our BICS Resource Hub, or speak to a member of the Greenfields team about preparing and managing your application.