Bills, meters and consumption
MPAN and MPRN numbers explained for businesses
What are our MPAN and MPRN, and are they the same as the meter number?
An MPAN identifies an electricity supply point and an MPRN identifies a gas supply point. They are not the same as a customer account number or meter serial number. A meter can be exchanged while the supply-point identity remains, so procurement and billing records should connect each identifier to the correct legal customer and physical location.
Written by Energy Guide editorial team · Specialist review: Pending · Source checked:
Supply point, meter and account are different
The MPAN belongs to an electricity supply point and the MPRN to a gas supply point. The meter serial number identifies installed equipment. The supplier account number identifies the commercial account used by that supplier.
Confusing these identifiers can result in the wrong consumption, contract or invoice being assigned to a site.
Build one traceable site record
For every material location, link the identifiers rather than keeping separate unconnected spreadsheets.
- Legal customer and company number
- Physical site name and postcode
- Electricity MPAN and gas MPRN
- Meter serial number and meter type
- Supplier account and contract
- Consumption, readings and end date
Check discrepancies before signing
Compare bills, contracts and site records. Investigate duplicate supplies, missing meters, landlord-controlled supplies and identifiers linked to old occupiers before asking suppliers to quote or agreeing a portfolio contract.
Sources
These sources support the explanation above. Check the linked source for current rules and eligibility.
- Ofgem: understanding your business energy supply
- Energy Networks Association: find my network operator