Good Energy 'Power Pause' invites customers to save money through Demand Flexibility Service

Good Energy is the latest supplier committing to reward household energy customers for reducing electricity use at peak times. 

The renewable energy company is joining National Grid’s ‘Demand Flexibility Service’ this winter.

The scheme reduces pressure during busy periods to avoid the grid switching on back-up generators using polluting and expensive fossil fuels.

Participating customers who reduce consumption will be rewarded with a credit on their energy bills.

Good Energy’s ‘Power Pause’ will be available to customers with a smart meter providing half-hourly readings. The company is inviting eligible households to register their interest.

Good Energy chief executive Nigel Pocklington said: “We already help customers to play their part in tackling the climate emergency by sourcing our electricity from more than 2,000 UK renewables such as wind farms, solar farms and hydroelectric projects. 

“It’s through working with renewables that we know very well the importance of making our energy use flexible. 

“Power Pause means our customers can go a step further in helping to create a greener electricity grid and be rewarded for it.”

The National Grid will identify 12 trial periods from November 2023 when they want to flatten peaks in demand.

Participating customers who successfully reduce their consumption during these times will be rewarded with a credit on their energy bill, based on a rate set by National Grid for the electricity saved compared to normal usage.

Good Energy aims to provide at least 24 hours’ notice of each ‘Power Pause’ so that customers can choose if they want to opt in, with a reminder on the day itself. Each event is expected to last from one to four hours.

The scheme relies on people having a smart meter so their energy usage during each event can be accurately recorded and compared to normal consumption.