THE National Grid is set to trigger an emergency blackout plan tomorrow – could you qualify for the £100 payout?
The winter emergency electricity plan could be activated for the first time with supplies tight due in part to problems in the French energy grid.
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The demand flexibility service (DFS) scheme, has already been tested twice in the last two weeks but has not yet been run for a live event.
National Grid said it would decide by around 2.30pm today whether to issue the notice to suppliers and households.
Those taking part will be able to earn money for switching off their appliances during peak times amid blackout warnings.
And households will be offered up to £100 by their energy supplier if they cut their use at peak times.
The National Grid ESO previously told The Sun the £100 saving is based on households receiving £3 for every kilowatt-hour during the 12 test demonstrations.
However, only households which have a working smart meter are eligible for the payout.
This means means the millions that don’t have one, or have issues with theirs, won’t be able to apply.
Those participating through the programme will be sent a message from the network if there is increased pressure on the system.
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To qualify, energy usage would need to be reduced in peak times such as 9am to 11am and 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
But the exact saving, and how it is distributed to households, will depend on the individual energy suppliers.
People are still being encouraged to sign up with their electricity supplier so they can get money back on their bills.
Under the DFS scheme, National Grid will pay energy firms rather than households directly to cut power demand in a number of ways.
Households which have signed up to the programme in advance will get a message asking them to turn off appliances at a certain time in exchange for £3 per kilowatt-hour saved.
This could be by stopping running the washing machine or dishwasher until the supply crunch has eased.
If the £3 is fully passed on by the suppliers to customers, that implies payments of up to £20 for each day when requested by National Grid.
Suppliers don’t have to take part in the scheme, but British Gas, EDF, EON and Octopus have signed up for it.
If the emergency blackout plan goes ahead – it could coincide with the England v Wales World Cup clash.
It comes as the nation is battling a crippling energy crisis, partly due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Certain “protected sites” like hospitals, food manufacturers, oil refineries, some ports, financial services, essential water and sewerage installations, major airports and digital and telecommunication services may not experience blackouts.
