UK utilities pay people to turn off the lights. More than two dozen energy companies already financially encourage the consumption of less electricity during peak hours.
More than a million UK households and businesses will be paid to use less energy between 5pm and 6pm local time on Monday as part of National Grid’s Demand Resiliency Service (DFS), which aims to prevent blackouts during peak periods.
At 26 British energy providers, customers can be paid to reduce their consumption below the average level during the one-hour period, National Grid announced on Sunday, warning that the country “smaller than usual” faces supply reserves.
The amount received varies depending on how much the customer is able to reduce their usual consumption, and is paid around £3 for every kilowatt hour saved. Estimated allocations range from £6 to £20.
Three coal-fired power stations, due to be retired in September amid Britain’s green energy transformation, have been put on standby in case additional energy is needed, the government said on Sunday. National Grid.
But the utility stressed that customers needn’t worry, insisting that just “as a precautionary measure” they ask for this, and if necessary, they will turn on the coal-fired power plants “maintain the necessary reserve capacity”. The National Grid has previously warned that during January and February, rolling blackouts of up to three hours may occur in the event of a power shortage. The UK imports around half of its energy and costs have skyrocketed in recent times.
Critics rejected the solution, arguing that it would require too much work for minimal savings. Others see it as an unfair punishment for those without smart meters, as only customers who have the disputed devices installed in their homes or businesses can participate in the program.
However, project leader Craig Dyke has big plans, stating that DFS “the beginning of something much, much bigger”.