UK’s Cold Snap Prompts National Grid to Activate Energy Blackout Scheme

The cold weather has prompted the National Grid to activate a blackout scheme.

The scheme will involve properties with smart meters reducing their energy usage between 5 pm and 6:30, in exchange for cash and other rewards on Wednesday.

The amount paid to customers is dependent on their circumstances and energy use.

It’s the first time the live-demand flexibility service has been activated during this winter snap.

The scheme was activated in response to the ongoing cold weather across the UK.

A spokesperson for the National Grid electricity system operator said, “Our forecasts show electricity supply margins are expected to be tighter than normal on Wednesday evening.

“It does not mean electricity supplies are at risk and people should not be worried.

“These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need.”

The scheme started in 2022 at the beginning of Europe’s gas squeeze caused by the war in Ukraine.

Eligible households do not have to turn off their electricity during the DFS period. They are advised to turn off appliances like washing machines, which create high energy quantities.

So far, more than 1.6 million households and businesses are involved.

The scheme is estimated to save more than 3,300MWh of electricity across 22 activations in 2022, generating enough to power 10 million homes an hour.