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TechRadar
TechRadar
Hamish Hector

Professors say today's solar eclipse won’t crash the grid — so why is Octopus Energy paying customers to switch off?

A solar eclipse next to an Octopus Energy offer.
  • Octopus Energy warns we could face a 1.3GW solar energy shortfall thanks to today's eclipse
  • It advises we cut energy usage today and is offering free electricity as reward
  • Experts say "the impact of the eclipse will be limited and is well planned for"

Ahead of today's solar eclipse — which is due to appear in the UK between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday, August 12 — Octopus Energy is asking us to avoid using unnecessary electricity as much as possible during the natural blackout. In exchange, it’ll give customers who are signed up to its rewards program a free hour of electricity to use next weekend.

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