Energy supplier OVO will be paying customers to cut down energy usage during peak times in a new trial.
The trial is called Power Move and could see customers earn up to £100 for using their energy during less busy periods. Customers will be asked to reduce energy use during the high demand hours of 4pm - 7pm.
This will help reduce pressure on the grid, as data shows that the average household uses 19 percent of their daily total usage during these hours. Because of this there isn't enough renewable energy to go around, reports the Hull Daily Mail.
This comes as a similar scheme is set to kick off in November which will see off peak appliance usage incentivised by the National Grid. The " demand flexibility service " will run from November to March and aims to balance supply and demand.
OVO is looking for participants to cut their average consumption between 4pm and 7pm to less than 12.5 percent.
For the average household, that could be the equivalent of moving three loads of washing per week from peak time to a greener time of day.
£20 will be rewarded for each month that this is achieved on average. The trial runs from November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
An independent report commissioned by OVO in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult concluded that energy retailers must radically rethink their approach to consumers, helping them navigate net zero and move away from planet harming fossil fuels and towards home energy efficiency.
OVO will be contacting customers to apply from mid October.
Raman Bhatia, CEO OVO, said: "The UK energy sector is at a crucial point, and we need a resilient grid to get us through this winter.
“This trial provides essential consumer data which can be shared with the Government and the National Grid to prevent power shortages, and will give customers a deeper insight into their energy consumption habits, with great potential savings.”
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