Britons could soon receive free electricity for using household appliances at weekends, under a new scheme unveiled by the National Energy System Operator aimed at tackling rising surplus power across the grid.
Announced on 14 April 2026, the initiative will reward households with smart meters for shifting their electricity use to off-peak periods, particularly when demand is low and supply is high. Activities such as running washing machines, dishwashers or charging electric vehicles during these windows could effectively cost nothing.
