Published22 August 2022, 14:13
UKAgainst power cuts, you have to do laundry at off-peak hours
London is working on a discount project for Britons who would avoid running their household appliances between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Purpose: to save electricity and protect once morest a blackout.
The British might receive up to 6 pounds (6 fr. 80) per kilowatt hour used in off-peak hours, by running less washing machines, dishwashers, dryers or video game consoles between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Photo d’illustration/Getty Images via AFP
The British authorities want to encourage, through rebates, consumers to favor off-peak hours to use energy-hungry appliances such as washing machines, according to press information partially confirmed by the national electricity grid operator (ESO). Objective: to attempt to mitigate the risk of power outages. The British might receive up to 6 pounds (6 fr. 80) per kilowatt hour used in off-peak hours, by running less washing machines, dishwashers, dryers or video game consoles between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
“We are developing a new service that consumers will be able to benefit from this winter, and will provide additional information soon,” an ESO spokesperson said. According to the “Sunday Times”, the manager will submit the idea of the device to the regulator of the sector, Ofgem, hoping to see it succeed by the end of October.
Energy prices have skyrocketed
The revelation of the plan comes as warning signs are mounting over the UK’s energy situation this winter, even though Economy Minister Nadhim Zahawi has dismissed the possibility of cuts. In the midst of the oil and especially gas shock aggravated by the war in Ukraine, drastic increases in energy prices are expected in the coming weeks.
The United Kingdom is very dependent on gas compared to other countries such as France, where the energy mix includes a majority of nuclear. Electricity prices for individuals should have more than doubled over one year next January. The average energy bill per household might then reach 6,000 pounds per year according to some estimates, or almost 20% of household disposable income in the United Kingdom.
Humanitarian crisis in sight
Health professionals on Friday warned of a ‘humanitarian crisis’ on the horizon, with more Britons at risk of having to choose between heating their homes or feeding themselves this winter. In mid-August, the UK energy sector called on the government to “rapidly” increase support for consumers in the face of soaring energy prices. But resigning Prime Minister Boris Johnson has referred this file to his successor, who is being appointed by Conservative party activists, a consultation whose result should be known on September 5.
(AFP)
