UK households could get £100 this winter for limiting energy use to off-peak times, according to the director of the National Grid.
The National Grid is offering a financial incentive for Brits to reduce power usage at peak times, such as using washing machines later at night. The energy bill discount is set to rise from £3 per kilowatt hour instead of 52p, representing possible savings of £100 per day this winter.
The move comes after the operator - which supplies Scotland, England and Northern Ireland with electricity and gas - warned of potential blackouts this winter if gas power plants are unable to keep running due to the energy crisis.
The National Grid has said it is still unlikely, but this winter could see the first planned blackouts since the 1970s, reports Wales Online.
Writing for The Guardian, Fintan Slye, the director of National Grid ESO, said on Thursday: "Businesses and homes can become virtual power plants and, crucially, get paid like one too.
"For a consumer that could mean a typical household could save approximately £100 and, for industrial and commercial businesses with larger energy usage, they could potentially save multiples of this."
Energy firms Octopus and E.On had said the 52p payment to incentivise customers to sign up was too low, the BBC reported. The scheme is intended to ease pressure on UK power grids over the winter months.
Most demand on power happens during peak hours of between around 4pm and 7pm when people get home from work, put the kettle on, switch on their ovens and sit down to watch TV.
The new system to pay people if they change the time that they use energy is expected to start in November. However it will only be available to homes with smart meters installed - around 14 million households in the UK.
Mr Slye said people should contact their energy supplier if they want to take part or find out more about the amount they will be paid.
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