The National Grid and Electricity System Operator (ESO) have launched a new Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) which will see up to one million customers being paid to reduce their electricity usage tonight.
The DFS will be launched between 5pm and 6pm today, as part of a scheme that will encourage people to ‘reduce their power consumption at certain times’ whilst at the same time helping them cut their bills.
It is the first time National Grid has implemented its DFS scheme since it was first announced last November, as the UK prepares for freezing temperatures this week.
The service sees households who currently have a smart meter and who have signed up earn around £3 (kilowatt per hour) for every unit they save by keeping their electricity switched off during peak times.
“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” the National Grid said on its website.
The DFS is due to stay in place until March – with 26 energy suppliers including British Gas, EoN, Octopus Energy and EDF signed up to it. It will be decided by the ESO later this afternoon whether the scheme will be run again tomorrow.
