Octopus Energy, Great Britain’s largest household energy supplier, has called on its customers to use less electricity this week during a solar eclipse. The company has specifically urged customers to avoid using washing machines and dishwashers between 6pm and 8pm this Wednesday.
The moon is expected to block up to 95% of the sun over parts of Britain, which is anticipated to eliminate the day's solar power generation. This coincides with Great Britain's fifth heatwave of the year, which is likely to increase electricity demand for air conditioning, fans, and refrigeration.
In exchange for reducing electricity use during the eclipse, Octopus Energy is offering customers enrolled in its rewards programme two free hours of electricity to be used the following weekend. The supplier believes that if enough households delay electricity use, it could lessen the need for Great Britain's electricity system operator to activate additional gas-fired power stations.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Octopus chief customer officer, stated that shifting tasks like laundry until later can help reduce the need for gas power stations and earn rewards.