A scheme that will see households rewarded for not using power-intensive products at peak times could be used for the first time on Tuesday, it has been revealed.
National Grid’s system operator said it may activate its Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), which is designed to avoid blackouts, on Tuesday evening to reduce strain on the electricity grid.
The scheme sees households, which are signed up for the initiative, paid to not use things like electric ovens, dishwashers and tumble driers between certain hours.
It is the first line of defence in the event that peak evening demand exceeds supply over the coming winter.
The DFS has been tested twice.
A decision is due to be made at 2.30pm on whether the DFS would be required.
The UK’s power grid usually relies on imports from France over the winter months to make up any shortfalls in electricity output.
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However, the French nuclear power industry, which accounts for around 75% of its usual electricity generation, is in turmoil.
More than half of the reactors run by state energy firm EDF have been closed due to maintenance and technical problems.
It is exacerbating the wider energy crisis across Europe as countries face down the colder months.
That is because the continent is without the usual volumes of gas flows from Russia because of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Octopus Energy is by far the most active energy supplier in the DFS.
It has previously released data showing that its customers had helped reduce demand by more than 100 megawatts during both tests.
