National Grid will pay households to shift electricity use to avoid blackouts

In a pilot customers were given a day’s notice to cut their consumption during periods such as 4.30pm to 6.30pm, when demand is highest. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

National Grid plans to reduce the risk of blackouts this winter by paying consumers to use less electricity at peak times, it has emerged.

The electricity network operator is racing to set up a scheme that will enable households with smart meters to choose to cut how much energy they use when supplies are low.