National Grid to Pay Brits Up to £6 per kWh to Slash Evening Energy Use
Get ready to cash in by switching off those power-hungry gadgets at peak hours! The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) is gearing up to reward consumers who cut their electricity use between 5pm and 8pm. Rebates could soar as high as £6 per kilowatt hour saved, according to the Sunday Times.
£6 per kWh: How the Scheme Could Work
The ESO plans to ask Ofgem for the green light to launch the scheme by late October. A spokesman revealed: “We are developing a new service that will be available for consumers to benefit from throughout this winter. We will be announcing additional information soon.”
The move follows a trial with Octopus Energy customers, where users earned 20p per kWh saved. Now, the rewards could skyrocket to £6, making it a tempting way to ease pressure on the grid and save some cash this winter.
Energy Crisis Deepens as Bills Set to Skyrocket
This new incentive comes amid dire warnings of soaring energy bills. Experts predict average households may face annual costs hitting a whopping £6,000 from April next year.
- Consultancy Auxilione forecasts the price cap will jump from £3,576 in October to £4,799 in January – and then a staggering £6,089 in April.
- This surge adds fuel to the cost-of-living crisis, expected to deepen as inflation could peak at 13%, according to the Bank of England.
- The current energy price cap stands at £1,971, with Ofgem due to announce new rates for October and December this Friday.
Government Promises Help – But Details Still Under Wraps
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insists “help is on the way” to tackle rising bills, though he’s kept specifics under wraps. He said: “Work is being done across government to mitigate the worst effects of the gas crisis.”
An ally of Tory leadership hopeful Liz Truss highlighted local energy production as key to long-term security. Truss vowed: “I understand the distress this is causing. As winter approaches, millions of families will worry about how they will make ends meet. However, I want to reassure the British people that help is on the way.”
Meanwhile, Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi downplayed fears of winter blackouts despite Russia’s war in Ukraine squeezing supplies.
With energy bills set to explode and families struggling, the countdown is on for when these new payment schemes and government support will bring relief.
