UK energy users could be offered cheap rates when demand is low

Officials said the proposal could send ‘sharp’ signals to encourage consumers to be more flexible in their energy usage. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Consumers could be offered cheaper rates to use energy when demand is low or the wind is blowing, under proposals drawn up by the government.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on Monday launched a 12-week consultation on the “biggest electricity market shake-up in decades” in response to sky-high bills and Britain’s move towards renewable energy sources.