Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Sam Barker

Full list of energy companies paying up to £100 for using power at off-peak times

There are now five energy firms that are paying customers up to £100 just for using power at off-peak times.

These energy suppliers are rewarding households for not using power at times of peak demand.

The scheme is being set up to prevent blackouts this winter, after the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) said Brits could face three-hour planned power cuts if there is a shortage of gas.

This was the worst-case scenario presented in a report last month - and system operators insist it is “unlikely” we’ll run out of power.

But the prospect of blackouts has led several energy companies to draw up compensation schemes for this winter.

Some are launched under the umbrella of Ofgem's official Demand Flexibility Service, but many energy firms have unveiled their own schemes.

The ESO says taking part could save the typical household £100 this winter - but you need to have a smart meter to take part.

The idea is using power at times of less demand can save you money (PA)

Which energy s uppliers are taking part?

Octopus Energy: Octopus Energy, which piloted the ESO scheme earlier this year, was the first supplier to officially sign up to the new initiative.

It expects to pay customers £4 on average during peak times between November and March through its Saving Sessions service.

Octopus says households could save £100 in total over winter, based on their electricity use being reduced by 1kWh once or twice a week, up to around 25 times.

The money will be paid as "OctoPoints" which you'll be able to redeem to your energy account as credit in pounds.

British Gas: British Gas households will have to reduce their electricity use by around 30% between 4pm and 7pm to get any sort of money back.

These figures are subject to change, as final details have yet to be published.

British Gas has not yet said how much money customers could save.

E.On Next: E.On Next said it has started writing to its customers this week, inviting them to sign up to the scheme.

It said households will see savings of £100 - based on £3 per kWh - if they reduce their energy usage 29 times over winter.

Credit will be paid into their energy account.

OVO Energy: OVO Energy has announced a similar scheme - but this is separate to the one being run by the ESO.

OVO customers who cut their energy use by 12.5% between 4pm and 7pm will get £20 each month.

The new Power Move trial will run from November to March as well, meaning OVO households can also get up to £100.

Utilita Energy: Utilita Energy customers can save up to £76.44 for using energy at off-peak times under the firm's Power Payback scheme.

The Utilita trial lets customers get energy credits for avoiding or reducing energy usage during peak times this winter.

If the full trial is a success, the Power Payback scheme will be opened up to every Utilita household, helping to cut their bills by up to £61.2million each year - £76.44 per home.

Each house taking part will get a text one hour before they need to try to use less power.

There will be one period a week where this happens, normally between 5.30pm to 10.30pm on the day.

If households manage to use less energy in this period they will get energy credits equivalent to the cost savings.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.