An MPAN number is essential when identifying your electricity supply point.
However, you will not usually find the MPAN number on meter infrastructure itself. Your electricity meter normally shows the meter serial number and meter readings.
Your MPAN is the electricity supply number for the site. On electricity bill paperwork, it may also be called a supply number, S-number or Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN).
You will need this number when requesting a quote, switching supplier, checking a bill, moving into a new premises or managing electricity supplies across several sites.
This guide explains where to find your MPAN number, what it looks like, why many search for the MPAN number on meter casings, and what to do if you’re lacking a recent bill to find it.
Quick answer: Is the MPAN number on the meter?
You usually will not find your MPAN number on the meter. Check your electricity bill, online supplier account or supplier records first.
Use the meter itself to cross-check the meter serial number and readings.
One wrong electricity supply number can slow a quote, delay a switch or make a billing query harder to untangle, so it is worth checking early.
Is the MPAN number on meter labels?
In most cases, no.
The MPAN is not normally printed on the physical electricity meter, which is why this assumption often leads people to the wrong reference.
A business may expect to find the MPAN number on meter casing because the meter is the physical equipment on site. In most cases, that search leads to a different reference: the meter serial number.
- The meter serial number identifies the physical meter.
- The MPAN identifies the electricity supply point registered for that premises.
A meter can be replaced, upgraded or reconfigured while the supply point continues to use the same MPAN. That is why the MPAN on electricity bill records, the online account or the supplier support team is usually the fastest route.
Where to find your MPAN number
Most businesses can find their MPAN in one of five places. Start with the electricity bill, then move down the list if the details are missing or the account history is unclear.
| Where to look | What to search for | When this helps |
|---|---|---|
| Recent electricity bill | MPAN on electricity bill, supply number, S-number or Meter Point Administration Number | The fastest route when the bill is for the correct site and supply address |
| Online supplier account | Site details, meter point details, supply information or MPAN | Useful when paper bills are unavailable or accounts are managed digitally |
| Current electricity supplier | Registered MPAN for the electricity supply | Useful when a bill is missing, old or difficult to match to the site |
| Local network operator | Supplier details and MPAN for the premises | Useful when you do not know the current supplier or have just taken on a premises |
| Property or tenancy records | Historic energy records, meter point details or handover documents | Useful for new occupiers, landlords and multi-site teams checking inherited supplies |
If you use a UGP invoice, our Your Bill Explained guide shows where supply details and MPAN information appear on the bill. UGP customers can also use our Supply Numbers FAQ as a quick reference.
What does an MPAN number look like?
On many electricity bills, the supply number is shown in a grid or box, often with a large “S” at the start.
- The full electricity supply number is commonly displayed as a 21-digit structure.
- The bottom row is the 13-digit core MPAN, which is the part suppliers usually ask for when checking or quoting a supply.
A typical MPAN supply number may be broken down like this:
The exact layout can vary by supplier, so do not worry if your bill does not look identical to the example above. The main priority is to identify the supply number box and confirm that the supply address matches the premises you are reviewing.
MPAN vs meter serial number vs MPRN
A lot of confusion comes from similar sounding identifiers. The simplest rule is this:
MPAN is for electricity, MPRN is for gas, and the meter serial number belongs to the physical meter.
| Reference | What it identifies | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPAN | The electricity supply point for a premises | Electricity bill, online account, supplier records or network operator route | Used for electricity quotes, switching, billing checks and supply matching |
| Meter serial number | The physical meter installed on site | Printed on the meter and often shown on the bill | Used to match the physical meter to the bill, especially after exchanges or site handovers |
| MPRN | The gas supply point for a premises | Gas bill, gas supplier records or gas supply lookup routes | Used for gas quotes, switching and gas account checks |
For finance, facilities and procurement teams, the best approach is to use the MPAN and meter serial number together. Check the MPAN against the bill or supplier account, then check the meter serial number against the meter on site.
How to find your MPAN number without a bill
If you do not have a recent electricity bill, you can still find the electricity supply number for the premises. Use this process:
- Check your online supplier account for site details, meter point details, supply information or MPAN.
- Ask your current electricity supplier for the registered MPAN for the premises.
- If you do not know the supplier, use your local network operator route to confirm the supply details.
- Check tenancy records, property handover documents or historic energy records if you have recently moved into the premises.
- Cross-check the meter serial number on site once the MPAN has been confirmed.
If you have just moved into a business premises, collect a meter reading, photograph the meter serial number, and ask the landlord, broker, managing agent or previous occupier for the latest electricity bill or handover pack.
Then confirm the MPAN with the current supplier or network operator if the bill is unavailable.
If you do not know who supplies the premises, Ofgem explains how to find your energy supplier or network operator. The Energy Networks Association also has a network operator search tool that can help you identify the local electricity network operator from the postcode.
Why your MPAN matters for business electricity
The MPAN is a small detail with a large administrative role. Businesses usually need it when they are:
- Requesting or comparing business electricity quotes
- Switching supplier or agreeing a new contract
- Checking a disputed bill
- Moving into or out of a premises
- Reviewing a meter exchange or smart meter installation
- Managing several sites with different electricity supplies
For multi-site businesses, it is useful to keep a simple record of each site name, address, meter serial number, MPAN, current supplier, contract end date and account reference. This makes future quote comparisons and billing reviews much easier.
If you’re reviewing electricity for a live contract or renewal, the UGP Business Electricity page gives a helpful overview of how we can support your renewed supply.
What to check before sending your MPAN to a supplier
Before sending your MPAN for a quote, switch or billing query, check that:
- The supply address matches the site being reviewed
- The MPAN has been copied from the correct electricity bill
- The meter serial number on the bill matches the meter on site
- The current supplier and account reference are clear
- The contract end date or renewal date has been checked
- Recent usage or annual consumption data is available
This is especially useful if your business has more than one meter, several sites, or inherited energy records from a previous occupier.
FAQs about finding your MPAN number
Is the MPAN number on meter labels?
Usually, no. The MPAN is normally found on your electricity bill, online supplier account or supplier records. The meter itself usually shows the meter serial number and readings.
Where is the MPAN located?
Your MPAN is usually shown on your electricity bill inside a supply number box. The MPAN on electricity bill records may also be called the supply number, S-number or Meter Point Administration Number.
What does an MPAN number look like?
The full supply number can be shown in a 21-digit format, often with a large S at the start. The bottom row is usually the core MPAN that suppliers ask for when checking or quoting a supply.
Can I find my MPAN number without a bill?
Yes. Check your online supplier account, ask your current electricity supplier, or contact the local network operator if you do not know who supplies the premises.
Is an MPAN the same as an MPRN?
No. MPAN is used for electricity supplies. MPRN is used for gas supplies.
Is an MPAN the same as a meter serial number?
No. The MPAN identifies the electricity supply point. The meter serial number identifies the physical meter installed at the premises.
Can a business have more than one MPAN?
Yes. A site can have more than one electricity supply, and a multi-site business can hold many MPANs across different premises.
Does my MPAN change if I switch supplier?
Usually, no. The MPAN normally stays with the electricity supply point, even when the supplier changes. It may change if the supply arrangement changes, such as through a new connection or major site reconfiguration.
Next step
If you would like support reviewing your electricity supply details or comparing your current contract, you can request a business energy quote from UGP and use your latest bill as the starting point.
