10 Questions Your Next TPI Energy Partner Needs To Answer
Energy is more than just a line item on the balance sheet. Your business energy consumption has compounding effects from cost control and operational resilience to sustainability targets and brand perception. And in a market as turbulent as the UK’s, the effects have never been more noticeable.
Choosing the right TPI (Third Party Intermediary) energy partner isn’t just about securing a good deal. It’s about finding someone who can help you manage risk, make sense of complexity, and plan. The right partnership can unlock value well beyond the price per kilowatt-hour.
That’s why forward thinking businesses are shifting away from short-term contracts and price-only thinking. Instead, they’re looking for long-term partners who bring data, strategy, and long-term planning into the conversation.
Energy Brokers vs Energy Consultants: What’s the Difference?
Energy Brokers
Brokers are mainly focused on securing energy contracts. They often work with a fixed panel of suppliers and prioritise price savings and contract admin. In many cases, they don’t charge you directly, but build fees into the rates, which can make true cost comparisons harder.
Energy Consultants
Consultants take a broader view. They help you understand your energy usage, assess risks, and build a long-term strategy. They’ll usually look at the full market, not just a shortlist of suppliers. Additional services may include energy audits, sustainability advice, and help with compliance. It’s a more involved approach, but the results are often more robust.
The CFO’s Blueprint: 'Must Haves' for Selecting Your Energy Partner
Your selection process should be guided by a clear set of criteria.
Transparency and Commercial Clarity
Trust starts with openness. Your partner must clearly disclose how they’re paid, including any commissions from suppliers, and provide a full breakdown of costs.
- Ofgem now requires this for non-domestic contracts.
- Impartial advice and open reporting on supplier relationships should be non-negotiable.
- Contracts must clearly define included services and terms – hidden fees and vague wording can inflate real costs.
Independence and Supplier Access
Breadth and neutrality matter. The best partners work across a wide range of suppliers, avoiding restrictive panels or volume-linked deals.
- Ask how many suppliers are included in tenders.
- Favour partners who assess all options, not just those that benefit them financially.
- Independence ensures advice is based on your goals, not theirs
Sector Expertise and Strategic Capability
Your partner should understand I&C energy challenges and offer more than just procurement.
- Look for evidence of experience in your sector.
- Services should include market risk management, regulatory compliance (e.g. ESOS, SECR), and sustainability support (e.g. PPAs, renewable sourcing).
- A strategic, full-service approach reduces workload and enhances decision-making.
Governance and Risk Management
Your partner must protect your interests – not just in cost, but in control and accountability.
- Letters of Authority (LOAs) must be clear, time-bound, and not allow contract sign-off without explicit consent.
- Understand how risk is managed: fixed vs. flexible models, hedging strategies, and alignment with your risk appetite.
- Assess how well the partner explains and structures these options for your business.
Questions for Your Potential Energy Partner
Fees & Independence
Can you provide a complete breakdown of every direct and indirect fee or commission and explain the safeguards that keep your advice independent of supplier incentives?
Sector Experience
What work have you done for I&C organisations in our sector of comparable size and complexity, and can you share relevant case studies or references?
Market & Regulatory Insight
How do you stay on top of market movements, policy changes and emerging technologies, and translate that intelligence into actionable advice for large energy users?
Risk-Management Toolkit
Beyond fixed-price procurement, which risk-management strategies (e.g., flex contracts, market triggers, hedging bands) do you deploy to shield clients from price volatility?
Compliance Support
What practical help do you provide with ESOS, SECR, Climate Change Agreements and other mandatory schemes?
Net-Zero & Renewables
How will you support our Net-Zero roadmap, including carbon accounting, renewable sourcing and negotiating Power Purchase Agreements?
Future-Fit Reforms
What is your plan for guiding clients through Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement and other forthcoming market changes?
Emerging Technology Advice
How do you assess and recommend demand-side response, battery storage or other onsite technologies that could benefit our business?
Ongoing Service Model
What does your communication schedule look like (market updates, performance reviews, reporting), and who will be our primary contact?
Issue Resolution & Governance
How do you handle queries or complaints (typical response/resolution times) and demonstrate compliance to the TPI Code of Practice?
By asking the right questions, you can quickly separate well-qualified partners from those with limited scope or unclear incentives. The clarity and depth of the answers you receive will reveal a great deal about each candidate’s transparency, expertise, and suitability for a long-term strategic relationship.
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Book a 30 minute discovery call with our energy experts today