What Is The Balancing And Settlement Code?

In Great Britain, when your energy supplier or generator doesn’t match actual electricity production with consumption, the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC) steps in. It’s the rulebook that fixes those mismatches and settles the financial side based on real-time grid data. Think of it as the invisible hand keeping supply and demand in harmony—and your power flowing.

How does the BSC actually work?

The BSC is a legally binding document that keeps Great Britain’s electricity system balanced every half-hour. It lays out the rules for imbalance settlement, where suppliers either pay up or get paid depending on whether they over- or under-delivered energy compared to their contracts. By 2026, the system churns through over 4.8 million settlement runs each year, covering nearly 300,000 meter points across GB.

Elexon, the independent administrator of the BSC, acts like the referee in a high-stakes game. It collects metering data from Licensed Distribution System Operators (LDSOs), compares forecasted versus actual usage, and calculates imbalance prices using the Balancing Mechanism. These prices go live every settlement period and are used to settle imbalances financially. Elexon doesn’t trade energy—it just makes sure the numbers are accurate and the settlements are fair.

Every licensed electricity company in Great Britain must sign the BSC, making them “BSC Parties.” That includes generators, suppliers, and network operators. Miss your obligations? Ofgem won’t hesitate to step in under its regulatory framework.

How do I access my BSC imbalance data?

1. Log in to the Elexon Market Data Portal with your BSC Party ID and password (you’ll get these when you register with Elexon).
2. Head to Settlement Reports → Imbalance Settlement → Settlement Period Results.
3. Pick your settlement date and period. Download the CSV labeled “Imbalance Volume and Price Report.”
4. Open the file and filter for your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) in the “Metering Point” column.
5. Compare your contracted volume (from your supplier’s schedule) with the metered volume in the “Metered Volume” column. A mismatch? That’s your imbalance—and it might need fixing.

I tried the steps above and still can’t find my data. Now what?

• File a Volume Correction Notice (VCN): In BSC Central Systems, go to Data Services → Volume Correction. Fill out the form with your MPAN, settlement date, and corrected volume. Elexon will validate and process it within 5 working days.
• Reach out to your LDSO: If the problem’s in the metering, submit a Metering Fault Report to your Local Distribution Company. They’ve got 10 working days to investigate and send corrected data to Elexon, per BSC Procedure BSCP514.
• Open a BSC Service Desk ticket: If nothing changes, escalate with a Priority 2 ticket via Elexon Support. Attach screenshots of the mismatch and your MPAN. Still stuck after 20 working days? Take it to Ofgem.

How can I keep my BSC data accurate and avoid issues?

Staying on top of your BSC data isn’t just smart—it cuts the risk of financial penalties and keeps settlements spot-on. Elexon rolled out automated data validation tools in 2026, but don’t skip manual checks, especially for sites that aren’t half-hourly metered.