HOUSEHOLDS have started being paid to turn off their appliances tonight as coal-fired power plants are put on alert.
The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) said its electricity supply margins are expected to be tighter than normal.
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The National Grid started the first official run of its “demand flexibility service” at 5pm and the scheme continues until 6pm.
But the ESO said it doesn’t mean energy supplies are at risk, and people don’t need to worry.
It has now been confirmed that households will also be paid to slash their electricity use again tomorrow in the scheme’s second live run.
The scheme was established to help lower the nation’s energy usage at peak times and to help lower the risk of households facing blackouts this winter.
Participating households could be paid to put on their dishwashers or charge their electric cars during off-peak hours.
But you’ll only be able to take part in the scheme if you have a smart meter.
And if you’re hoping to cash in from tonight’s event, it will be better 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.
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And households must have signed up through their supplier, otherwise, they won’t be able to take part.
If you are already signed up, then you don’t need to do anything to take part in tonight’s event.
The full list of firms taking part in the scheme can be found here.
Once you have signed up, your supplier will contact you just before the event to confirm that you want to participate.
Tonight will be the first time ever that the National Grid has used the scheme officially to reduce pressure on the grid.
Previous cold weather prompted the National Grid to warn the scheme would go ahead but were later cancelled.
Freezing temperatures mean more people are heating their homes which increases the demand for energy.
But a lack of wind has reduced the amount of renewable energy available.
An ESO spokesperson said: “Our forecasts show electricity supply margins are expected to be tighter than normal on Monday evening.
“We have instructed coal-fired power units to be available to increase electricity supplies should it be needed.
“We are also activating a Live Demand Flexibility Service event between 5-6pm.
“This does not mean electricity supplies are at risk and people should not be worried. These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need.”
National Grid’s boss told the BBC last year that blackouts would be a last resort if energy supplies run low.
Craig Dyke, ESO head of national control, told Sky News: “We took the decision over the weekend to warm three coal-fired power stations, just for contingency, so not necessarily to run.
“Just to ensure that as we get through the evening peak today, we can ensure society that there will be electricity for them to use when they want to use it.”
It comes after British Gas, EDF Energy, and Ovo Energy paid customers for using less energy last week.
Electrical Safety First is warning participating households to check that all their appliances are in full working order before running them at night to reduce the risk of fire.
Martyn Allen, technical director of Electrical Safety First said: “Households will understandably be considering all their options during a financially challenging time, yet it is essential that anyone considering using appliances at night do all they can to mitigate their risk of a fire with a few simple spot checks.
“Ensure your appliances are not subject to a recall, that cables are not damaged and that filters are regularly emptied to reduce a build-up of lint. Finally, ensure you have a working smoke alarm on every floor in your house, it could save your life.”
National Grid had previously warned that the UK could face rolling three-hour blackouts in January and February to help manage energy supplies if there is a shortage.
The UK typically imports half of its energy and global supplies have shrunk since Russia has weaponised its resources after the invasion of Ukraine.
Expert Adam Bell, who is head of policy at consultancy Stonehaven, said that the system was working as it should.
“This is all fine and just the Grid doing its job”, Mr Bell said, adding that the demand flexibility side is “interesting”.
The industry regulator Ofgem is also currently reviewing the rules around prepayment meters and is also calling for a cheaper social tariff to be introduced to help struggling households.
What is the demand flexibility service?
National Grid has established the demand flexibility service to help encourage households to use their most energy-intensive appliances during off-peak times during the night.
The scheme has been set up to help lower the nation’s energy usage at peak times and to help lower the risk of households facing blackouts this winter.
It is due to stay in place until March, with 26 energy suppliers including Octopus Energy and EDF signed up to it, but until now has only been used in tests.
This is the first live event that has taken place.
How much could I get for taking part in the scheme and who’s eligible?
If households use less electricity than they normally do during the allotted hours, they will be paid for the savings.
But you’ll need to be with a supplier that’s taking part in the scheme, and have signed up to take part.
British Gas, EON, and Octopus are among those taking part in the Demand Flexibility Scheme.
Customers could be paid up to £6 per kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy saved compared to their normal usage during an allocated two-hour time period.
This would mean that if a customer reduced their energy usage by two kilowatt per hour, then the maximum amount that the customer could earn back is £12.
Those who have opted into taking part should get a text or email from their energy supplier to notify them of the hours at which the scheme is running.
You can check with your supplier directly if it’s running the scheme and how to take part. Not all are taking part.
But some may have already signed up the required number of customers while others are inviting them directly.
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