Exhibition Stand Electricity Costs
Power is one of the most commonly under-budgeted costs at a show — partly because exhibitors assume it comes with the space, and partly because it’s easy to over-order and pay for capacity you never use. Here’s how exhibition electricity is charged, what a typical stand needs, and how to keep the bill sensible.
It’s one of the venue costs covered in our guide to the hidden costs of exhibiting, and part of the wider picture in how much an exhibition stand costs.
Quick answer: electrics are ordered from the venue, not included in your space. A small stand with a modest supply and a few sockets typically runs from around £300–£800, rising with higher loads, 24-hour supply and extra sockets. Late orders cost more.
What Drives
Your Power Bill.
Venues charge for a supply — a power drop of a given rating brought to your stand — plus the sockets and any connection labour. You choose the rating based on the total load you’ll run. The bigger the supply and the more sockets, the higher the cost; 24-hour power (for fridges or servers) costs more than standard show-hours supply.
| Supply | Indicative Cost | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| 500W – 1kW + sockets | £300 – £500 | Lighting, laptops, a screen |
| 2kW – 3kW | £450 – £800 | Several screens, small appliances |
| 5kW+ / three-phase | £800 – £2,000+ | Heavy AV, catering, machinery |
| 24-hour supply | Surcharge | Fridges, servers, charging |
Indicative UK figures, ex. VAT. Rates and exact packages vary by venue — check the exhibitor manual.
How to Avoid
Over-Paying.
Add Up Your Real Load
Total the wattage of everything you’ll run and choose a supply with modest headroom — not the biggest option “to be safe”. Over-ordering is one of the most common ways to waste money here.
Use LED Lighting
LED draws a fraction of the power of older fittings, so a well-lit backlit stand can sit on a smaller, cheaper supply. Integrated LED like T3 Wandlight is efficient by design.
Order Before the Deadline
Advance rates are almost always cheaper than on-site orders. Missing the deadline can add a hefty premium for the same supply.
One Supply, Your Own Distribution
Where allowed, take a single main supply and distribute it across your stand yourself rather than ordering multiple separate sockets, each of which may carry its own charge.
More on
Venue Costs.
Electricity Cost
Questions.
How much does electricity cost at an exhibition?
Is electricity included in exhibition floor space?
How do I work out how much power my stand needs?
Efficient by Design.
Lower Power Bills.
T3 stands use efficient integrated LED, so they light beautifully on a smaller supply. Tell us your show and space for a 3D design and itemised quote within 24 hours.
