Households across the UK are being urged to avoid using kitchen appliances for two hours on Wednesday evening during the solar eclipse. Octopus Energy is asking customers to delay using washing machines, dishwashers, and other appliances from 6pm to 8pm, when the Moon is expected to block up to 95% of sunlight.
Solar generation to plunge
The eclipse will cause solar generation to drop sharply just as electricity demand rises when millions return home from work. The slump could cut as much as 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of supply—enough to power about half a million homes, according to the National Energy System Operator (Neso), which runs the electricity grid.
To compensate, gas-fired power stations will need to be brought online alongside other sources. While there is no suggestion of power cuts, Octopus said it is encouraging people to use less energy to reduce the need for gas power and lower carbon emissions.
Free electricity incentive
Octopus is offering customers free electricity later if they cut usage during the eclipse. This effort is part of the company's broader push to shift when households use electricity, not just how much. The company, which overtook British Gas as the UK's largest supplier last year, has long promoted time-of-use tariffs like its Agile tariff, which changes prices every half hour based on wholesale costs.
This pricing model aims to encourage more electricity use when it is plentiful and less when scarce. It is becoming increasingly important as Britain relies more on wind and solar power, which can be highly variable.
Criticism and concerns
About 500,000 of Octopus's eight million customers already participate in its demand-shifting programmes, according to Kieron Stopforth, the company's head of flexibility. He said: "We need to create the right price signals in the market that incentivise more flexible energy use."
However, critics argue that time-of-day pricing unfairly penalises households that cannot easily shift consumption, such as those reliant on electronic medical devices. Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, has also criticised such schemes, saying last year: "Our energy system should suit what people want to do, not the other way around."
