Octopus is running an Eclipse Power Down session on Wednesday (12 August) to mitigate the lost sun and subsequent energy demand.

Britain will get its best view of a solar eclipse since 1999, with the Moon blocking up to 95 per cent of the Sun, but solar power will drop just as evening demand peaks.

Octopus will now be rewarding customers for switching off between 6pm and 8pm and in return giving them free electricity the following weekend.

The company calculates that if enough households delay using electricity for a short time, it can reduce the need to fire up extra gas power stations. Octopus estimates homes could provide 13GW of flexible capacity to support the electricity system, particularly through smart appliances, EVs and home batteries, yet only a fraction of this potential is currently being used.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief customer officer at Octopus Energy, said: “Many of us will be looking up at the sky on Wednesday evening to experience this once-in-a-generation event. But as the Sun disappears, so will some of Britain’s solar generation, just as demand peaks. By shifting everyday tasks like the washing machine or dishwasher until later, households can help reduce the need for gas power stations - and earn rewards for doing their bit.”

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