Power-saving scheme to be extended as blackouts loom

AN ENERGY-SAVING scheme that pays customers who turn off their washing machines and cookers at peak times is set to be extended until the end of April as the National Grid seeks to avoid nationwide blackouts.

A National Grid representative briefed energy market professionals earlier this month that the scheme will last until March 31 but that the network operator is “looking to have the option open to extend that by a month” if needed.

The network operator has outlined initial proposals for a so-called “demand flexibility service” that will launch in November amid fears a cut-off of Russian gas will trigger energy shortages.

The scheme is part of wider plans to prepare the country for an escalation in the energy crisis this winter with bills set to soar by 80pc to £3,549.

Factories have been told they will receive payments for shutting down operations three winters in a row to conserve gas supplies for domestic consumers and hospitals.

Suppliers will also text consumers asking if they want to stop using electrical appliances for several hours in the evening.

Consumers could be asked to turn off appliances between 4pm and 9pm in the evenings, and suppliers may occasionally ask customers to reduce demand in the morning as well.

The National Grid control room is set to inform energy suppliers of stress on the system a day before it needs households to turn down their electrical items.

Energy companies will then contact customers asking if they want to help reduce demand on the network in the next 24 hours before providing feedback of the results to the Grid’s control room.

Customers will receive payment from their suppliers for cutting their demand during the specified time window. Suppliers will decide how and when to pay consumers for participating.

It is thought the scheme will be triggered when wind output is low or Britain cannot import enough energy from its European neighbours through undersea cables.