What Centrica Business Solutions does

Centrica Business Solutions is the Distributed Energy & Power (DE&P) division of Centrica plc, the UK-listed energy conglomerate, delivering large-scale onsite, behind-the-meter energy solutions to commercial, industrial, and public sector organizations. Founded in 2016 as a dedicated B2B arm, the business has inherited more than 35 years of operational track record through Centrica's CHP heritage and today manages approximately 16.7GW of renewable and flexible assets across the broader Centrica group, with 9,500+ onsite generation installations delivered and more than 1GW of business energy assets installed globally.

The product portfolio spans onsite generation technologies (Combined Heat and Power, heat pumps, commercial solar PV, microgrids, battery energy storage systems, EV charging) and energy efficiency upgrades (building automation, mechanical systems, commercial lighting and controls, water management), wrapped in flexible contracting models — Discount Energy Purchase, Power Purchase Agreement, Energy-as-a-Service, Energy Savings Performance Contract, and Property Assessed Clean Energy — that remove upfront CAPEX for customers. Operations are organized across UK/Ireland, North America, and Continental Europe, with Italian and Dutch entities consolidated under the Joulz brand in February 2026; the US business serves healthcare, higher education, K-12, local and federal government, manufacturing, water utilities, commercial real estate, and corrections.

Revenue mechanics combine upfront project delivery (CHP, solar, BESS, EV infrastructure, lighting and water retrofits) with long-duration recurring revenue streams from operations and maintenance contracts and per-kWh energy supply under DEP/PPA structures. Go-to-market is primarily direct enterprise field sales targeting large industrials, NHS trusts, universities, and government agencies, supplemented by a Channel Partner Network, solar EPC partners (e.g., Push Power), and community solar collaborators (e.g., Dispatch Energy). The business is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centrica plc, which trades on the London Stock Exchange under ticker CNA.

Name

Centrica Business Solutions

Legal name

Centrica Business Solutions US Inc.

Website

https://centricabusinesssolutions.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Centrica Business Solutions is Centrica plc's Distributed Energy & Power division, delivering integrated onsite energy generation, storage, efficiency, and long-term financing solutions to commercial, industrial, and public sector clients across the UK, Ireland, North America, and Continental Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial and Industrial Energy Services

NAICS

Electric Power Generation (22111), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Energy & Renewables Specialty Contracting (Solar PV, Storage, EV Charging) (IMAFALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

PPA Origination, Advisory & Contract Management (Negotiation, Credit, Settlements) (EUAGADAL), Hybrid PPAs (Renewables + Storage) & Firm Renewable Products (EUAGADAI), DER Financing, Leasing & Billing Platforms (TPO, PPA, On-Bill) (EUAMAJAJ)

Keywords

• Onsite energy generation
• Combined heat and power
• Commercial solar installations
• Energy efficiency solutions
• Energy management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Energy as a Service (EaaS): Subscription-based energy solutions that eliminate upfront capital investment for customers. Customers pay for energy services rather than purchasing equipment outright, with the company financing, installing, operating, and maintaining energy assets.
2. Energy Efficiency Solutions: Services including building automation systems, mechanical systems, commercial lighting and controls, and water management delivered as performance-based contracting.
3. On-site Energy Solutions: Solar energy, battery energy storage systems (BESS), EV charging, microgrids, and CHP systems sold through various financing models including PPA and direct purchase.
4. Discount Energy Purchase (DEP): Commercial financing solution where Centrica installs and operates energy generation assets with no upfront costs. Customers pay an agreed p/kWh electricity unit rate for 7-15 years, bundled with operations and maintenance.
5. Operations and Maintenance Contracts: Ongoing O&M services for installed energy assets, including 24/7 monitoring, routine maintenance, and emergency repairs, typically bundled with financing agreements or sold separately.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Centrica Business Solutions provides integrated onsite energy generation and efficiency solutions for commercial, industrial, and public sector organizations. Its offering spans Combined Heat and Power (CHP), commercial solar PV, heat pumps, microgrids, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), EV charging, and building automation/LED lighting upgrades, delivered with full lifecycle services including design, financing, installation, operations and maintenance. The company sells outcomes — reduced energy cost, carbon emissions, and improved resilience — via contracting models such as Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS), Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), and Discount Energy Purchase (DEP).

Product overview

Centrica Business Solutions operates as a portfolio of integrated energy solutions organized around three core pillars — Energy Efficiency Solutions, On-site Energy Solutions, and Contracting Solutions — supported by a full lifecycle services layer (Operations & Maintenance) and flexible financing. The product portfolio includes both hardware technologies (Combined Heat and Power, Heat Pumps, Commercial Solar Panels, Microgrids, Battery Energy Storage Systems, EV Charging, Building Automation Systems, Mechanical Systems, Commercial Lighting and Controls, Water Management) and contracting models (Energy Savings Performance Contract, Energy-as-a-Service, Power Purchase Agreement, Property Assessed Clean Energy, Discount Energy Purchase). In Europe (UK/Ireland/Italy/Netherlands), the business operates under the unified Joulz brand following the merger of Centrica Business Solutions Italia and Nederland with Joulz. In North America, the company delivers energy efficiency and on-site energy solutions across commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education, local government, K-12, federal government, manufacturing, water utilities, and commercial real estate sectors. The company manages 16.7GW of renewable and flexible assets across the Centrica group, has commissioned 9,500+ onsite energy installations, and has installed more than 1GW of energy generation assets for businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Onsite Energy Technologies Onsite, behind-the-meter power generation portfolio for organizations seeking 1MW+ capacity, including CHP, heat pumps, commercial solar panels, and microgrids to become more sustainable and control costs.
• Integrated Energy Solutions End-to-end integrated energy solutions bundling financing, operations and maintenance, and net zero advisory with onsite technologies, providing full lifecycle support for commercial and industrial clients.
• Energy Efficiency Solutions Solutions for lowering utility and maintenance costs, increasing equipment life and performance, and improving occupant comfort and productivity through infrastructure upgrades including Building Automation Systems, Mechanical Systems, Commercial Lighting and Controls, and Water Management.
• On-site Energy Solutions (US) On-site renewable energy generation and storage solutions for North American clients including Solar Energy, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Electric Vehicle Charging, Microgrids, and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) for decreasing reliance on grid energy and reducing demand spend.
• Contracting Solutions Flexible financing solutions that overcome capital expenditure barriers, including Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS), Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), and Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), delivering cost predictability without upfront CAPEX investment.
• Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Expert operations, maintenance and support services ensuring energy solutions deliver maximum productivity, efficiency and savings throughout the asset lifecycle, available 24/7 with remote monitoring capabilities.
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Onsite cogeneration technology producing electricity, hot water and steam from a single fuel source (natural gas), achieving up to 80% efficiency versus 30-40% for conventional power sources, reducing operating costs and carbon emissions.
• Commercial Solar Panels Rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV systems generating renewable energy on-site, reducing grid dependence and energy costs, financed with zero upfront costs through PPA or DEP agreements.
• Microgrids Integrated on-site energy systems combining generation, storage and demand management to achieve energy independence and resilience against grid interruptions.
• Commercial Heat Pumps Commercial heat pump technology providing heating and cooling by transferring heat from air, ground or water sources, offering up to 300% efficiency compared to traditional electric resistance heaters.
• Solar Energy (US) On-site solar PV systems for US commercial, industrial and public sector clients, including community solar programs, carport canopies and rooftop installations, with flexible financing options.
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Battery storage solutions co-located with renewable generation or data centers, enabling grid-interactive assets capable of generating revenue through energy market participation and reducing demand spend.
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging EV charging infrastructure solutions for commercial and public sector fleets, supporting fleet electrification and expanding public charging access with flexible networks and infrastructure for future expansion.
• Building Automation Systems (BAS) Smart building management systems optimizing comfort, efficiency and environmental performance through automated control of HVAC, lighting and other building systems.
• Commercial Lighting and Controls LED lighting upgrades with intelligent controls replacing legacy fluorescent and incandescent systems, reducing energy consumption by 30-50% and maintenance costs across commercial and public sector facilities.
• Water Management Water conservation solutions including smart valves and metering systems that regulate water usage and reduce operational costs, particularly for institutional and corrections facilities.
• Net Zero Advisory Advisory services helping organizations define a pathway to net zero, including carbon reduction planning, ESG reporting guidance, and aligning energy strategies with regulatory requirements and sustainability commitments.
• CHP Operations and Maintenance Industry-leading CHP maintenance plans including comprehensive maintenance, routine maintenance and remote diagnostics, with 35+ years experience, 890MW+ CHP units managed, and 24/7 monitoring service from UK-based Service Centre.
• Energy Insights Solutions Energy data intelligence platform collecting 38 billion data points each month globally, enabling energy load management and analytics for commercial and industrial clients.
• Financing In-house flexible financing options covering projects from 100kW to 10MW+, including zero-CAPEX arrangements that bundle asset funding with operations and maintenance into a single simplified contract lasting 7-15 years.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9,500 onsite energy generation installations delivered and commissioned globally
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• JoulzcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026Centrica Business Solutions Italia and Centrica Business Solutions Olanda officially joined Joulz, a leading provider of integrated behind-the-meter energy solutions with over 20,000 business clients. The combined entity operates under the Joulz brand, integrating 280 specialists from Joulz with 85 from Centrica in Italy and 50 in the Netherlands. This represents Joulz's first step toward internationalization, expanding from Netherlands into Italy and wider Europe.
• Push Power Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPush Power is Centrica's solar EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) specialist partner. They deliver premium, investment-grade solar power solutions on complex sites. Push Power's expertise in complex ground-mount installations was crucial for the Carpenter Ltd project, overcoming challenging terrain, demanding safety requirements, and testing weather conditions.
• Dispatch EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentrica Business Solutions partnered with Dispatch Energy to provide a full-service community solar solution for commercial real estate owners. Dispatch Energy handles financing, design, installation, utility approvals, commissioning, and provides operations and maintenance for the duration of the lease. The partnership allows passing monetary benefits of state and federal community solar incentives to real estate owners.
• Channel PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFormal Channel Partner Network for businesses that recommend or resell Centrica Business Solutions energy solutions to end customers. Partners benefit from access to comprehensive energy solutions portfolio and partnership support.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Johnson Controls: Global provider of building automation, HVAC, and energy-efficiency services for commercial and public-sector buildings, including performance contracting via its Energy Solutions business. Direct overlap on BAS, mechanical systems, LED lighting, and ESPC models.
• E.ON: European integrated energy company with a major B2B energy solutions arm offering on-site generation, CHP, heat pumps, EV charging, and energy efficiency services. Particularly relevant as a European incumbent competing for the same industrial and commercial decarbonization wallet.
• ENGIE: Global integrated energy and energy services company providing on-site generation, energy efficiency, and decarbonization solutions to commercial and industrial clients. Operates at much larger scale and across broader geographies but competes directly for the same behind-the-meter and PPA-style engagements.
• Enel X (now Enel X Way and Enel X Global Retail): Enel's energy solutions and demand-response business offering on-site generation, energy efficiency, EV charging, and battery storage to commercial and industrial customers globally. Highly comparable product overlap, especially in the EV charging and BESS categories.
• Schneider Electric: Global specialist in energy management, building automation, and industrial efficiency. Comparable because it offers microgrids, building automation systems, and energy-efficiency contracting overlapping with Centrica Business Solutions' Energy Efficiency Solutions portfolio.
• Siemens Smart Infrastructure: Division of Siemens delivering building technologies, energy management, and grid-edge solutions including microgrids, EV charging, and storage. Overlaps directly with Centrica Business Solutions' smart energy management, BAS, and on-site generation offerings.
• Veolia: Global environmental services group offering district heating, on-site energy, CHP, and energy/water efficiency contracts to industrial and public-sector clients. Comparable in water management, CHP, and public-sector contracting models.
• EDF (Électricité de France): Integrated French utility with a substantial B2B energy solutions arm providing on-site generation, heat networks, EV charging, and energy efficiency services across the UK and continental Europe. Direct competitor in European behind-the-meter energy solutions.

Direct peers

• Ameresco: US-listed Energy Services Company (ESCO) delivering energy efficiency, renewable energy, and asset retirement services to public-sector and commercial customers via ESPC and PPA structures. Highly comparable given shared contracting models, public-sector focus, and integrated solar/storage offerings.

Regional players

• Alpiq: Swiss-based energy services company with on-site generation, energy efficiency, and flexibility services primarily across Switzerland, Germany, and surrounding markets. Comparable product set, though focused on Central European markets rather than UK/US.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CentricaSoln_UK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CentricaBusinessSolutions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/showcase/centrica-business-solutions-uk-&-ireland

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centrica Business Solutions