Last winter some energy firms pioneered a scheme to pay electricity users with smart meters not to use electricity on certain evenings. The pressure on the National Grid at times of high demand was less and they could balance supply and demand without the need to resort to fossil-fuel plants. The scheme was successful and this year it is being repeated.
So, what do you have to do in order to qualify for payment? Going via your energy firm is usually the easiest way to do it. British Gas; EDF; Octopus; Ovo; Scottish Power and Utilita are all running schemes this winter. Go to your energy supplier’s website for further details. You must have a smart meter in order to benefit. British Gas for example is advertising half-price electricity every Sunday from 11.00 am to 4 pm.
The peak hours are between 4.00pm and 7.00pm each evening so if you can avoid cooking, washing clothes, turning off your lights, not charging mobile devices and not using the dishwasher during this time you will be rewarded by the companies signed up to the scheme. It may require some re-organisation of your schedule but it is worth taking a look to find out if it is worth it.
