Homes across the country will be paid for reducing their energy use for one hour tonight in a scheme that could cut £100 off your bills. The National Grid will run a live event of its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), which gives households a chance to save money if they reduce their power usage during certain times
A DFS Service Requirement has been issued for Monday January 23, between 17:00pm and 18:00pm, the Express reports. If your energy supplier participates in the scheme and you have a smart meter then you can register. Those who are signed up will receive notification of live events that could save them money.
The National Grid's ESO website states: "If you have signed up to take part in the DFS scheme your electricity provider will contact you before a demonstration test or live event and ask if you want to participate in the following day’s event."
Households that reduce their energy use to a set level during the DFS will be rewarded by their energy provider.
The ESO will run a maximum of 12 demonstration tests. The ESO said "a typical household could save approximately £100 across the maximum 12 demonstration tests."
A list of energy providers who are taking part in the scheme can be found on the ESO website.
26 energy suppliers including Octopus Energy and EDF signed up to it, but until now has only been used in tests.
National Grid ESO added that its announcement should not be interpreted as a sign that electricity supplies are at risk and said “people should not be worried”.
“These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need,” National Grid said in a tweet.
The cold weather means more people are heating their homes which increases demand for energy, but a lack of wind has reduced the amount of renewable energy available.
Three UK coal plants have been ordered to begin warming up in case they are needed for the country’s energy supply as the cold snap bites.
National Grid ESO said it had given the instructions in light of forecasts showing electricity supply margins may be tighter than normal on Monday.Ther scheme runs until the end of March.
