Understanding MPAN and MPRN numbers on your business energy bill
MPAN and MPRN — the postcode of your meter
Your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) uniquely identifies your electricity meter to every UK supplier. Your MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number) does the same for your gas meter. Together they're how the industry knows which meter to switch, bill and read — no other reference matters as much.
What an MPAN looks like
An MPAN is 21 digits, usually shown in a grid on your electricity bill under the heading 'Supply Number' or a large letter 'S'. It's broken into a profile class, meter time-switch code, line loss factor, distributor ID and a unique meter identifier. Only the last 13 digits are strictly unique to your meter.
What an MPRN looks like
An MPRN is 6-10 digits, usually shown on your gas bill under the heading 'MPRN' or 'Gas Supply Number'. It identifies your gas meter uniquely across the National Grid.
Why suppliers need them
Business names change, addresses get abbreviated inconsistently, and postcodes cover multiple premises. The MPAN and MPRN are the only unambiguous way for a supplier to be sure they're switching the right meter.
What to do if you can't find yours
You can call your current supplier and ask, use the free 0870 608 1524 line for MPANs (regional network operator lookup), or ask a broker like Energy Tariff to look it up from your postcode. Never sign a switch based on the wrong number — the wrong meter switching is a headache to unwind.
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