National Grid to pay households and businesses to cut electricity use again

The ‘demand flexibility service’ had only been used in trials before its first live use – during a ‘saving session’ scheduled for between 5pm-6pm on Monday. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

British households and businesses will be paid to cut their electricity use again as National Grid aims to reduce the strain on the energy network.

The electricity system operator (ESO) said on Monday it was looking for bids from suppliers to help save up to 341MW of power between 4.30pm and 6pm on Tuesday.