MILLIONS of households are set to be paid to reduce their energy usage again this winter.
The National Grid’s “Demand Flexibility Service” (DFS) is returning this year in a bid to prevent potential blackouts.
Millions of households are set to be paid to reduce their energy usage againGetty
The scheme, which debuted last winter, is designed to reduce pressure on the energy network.
Under the service, households who use less electricity than they normally do during certain allotted hours are paid for the savings.
Last year around 1.6million households and businesses were paid a total of just under £11million for taking part.
National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO), a subsidiary of the operator, has confirmed that the scheme will be starting again during the colder months – pending Ofgem approval.
Homes and businesses across Great Britain will again be able to earn pounds, points or prizes across the period by shifting their energy usage outside of allotted periods.
ESO said it will be looking looking to run 12 test events, prior to “live” events, which would be implemented to prevent blackouts.
Customers and businesses will be able to sign up to participate in this year’s Demand Flexibility Service in the coming months, following regulatory approval from Ofgem.
You will only be able to take part in the service if you have a smart meter though – and your supplier will need to have signed up to the scheme.
Participating households could be paid to put on their dishwashers or charge their electric cars during off-peak hours.
Those looking to cash in from possible events are encouraged to turn expensive appliances off rather than sit in the dark.
This is because you won’t make as much of a saving by just switching your lights off.
And households must have signed up through their supplier, otherwise, they won’t be able to take part.
Last year, the DFS was originally trialled with Octopus Energy, and other suppliers then joined, these included British Gas, EDF, E.On, Ovo Energy, and Shell Energy.
Each energy provider will have its own eligibility criteria to take part in the scheme though and how much you can earn will vary.
National Grid will pay at least £3 for every kilowatt-hour they save during six of the 12 tests.
The cash is paid to the suppliers, which will likely retain a portion to cover administrative costs and make a profit.
Jake Rigg, corporate affairs director at ESO, said: “The ESO will be reintroducing the Demand Flexibility Service for this winter and is keen for more consumers, both large and small, to get involved.
“We want to work with industry to build on the past success of this new and innovative service.
“Across last winter the Demand Flexibility Service successfully demonstrated the interest of consumers and businesses in playing a more active role in balancing our electricity needs and to be rewarded with savings for their action in the process.”
Meanwhile, here’s the full list of firms which took part in the DFS last year.
Plus, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about last winter’s scheme to give you an idea of what to expect.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.