Now get paid up to £10 a day to cut your electricity usage

HOUSEHOLDS and businesses will be paid to cut their electricity usage today as a new scheme goes live – amid warnings supplies will be ‘tighter than normal’.

The National Grid said it would be activating its Demand Flexibility Service between 5pm and 6pm. The scheme offers people up to £10 a day to cut their electricity usage during peak times, usually between 4pm and 7pm, in order to reduce pressure on the grid. Simple ways to do this include running energy-intensive appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers outside peak hours. The scheme also pays larger businesses to reduce demand by using energy outside peak times or relying on generators during periods of high demand.

But the deal relies on smart meters, which are unreliable and have been installed in only half of homes and small businesses. They have also been criticised for malfunctions and inaccurate readings.

People wishing to take part in the scheme have to sign up with a participating supplier, including major firms such as British Gas, EDF, Eon and Octopus Energy.