Settlement period

A settlement period is a half-hour block used in GB electricity trading and settlement. Elexon says electricity is considered to be generated, transported, delivered and used in half-hour chunks called Settlement Periods, with a normal day split into 48 periods and clock-change days using 46 or 50. In domestic account and tariff material, the term can sit behind half-hourly data, smart tariffs, export settlement, SEG payments and supplier account wording under BSC (Balancing and Settlement Code) arrangements. It is not the same as a bill period, unit rate, meter reading, export MPAN, DNO approval, MCS certification, tariff eligibility or proof that a bill is accurate.