Ovo joins scheme to pay customers to cut their energy usage

Energy firm Ovo has joined a scheme which could see its customers paid to reduce their electricity use at key times.

The National Grid Electricity System Operator launched the scheme earlier this month.

The service has been tested twice in recent weeks, and some households earned more than £4 for taking part over the course of an hour.

On Monday, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) announced it could activate the Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), designed to avoid power cuts, after it notified energy providers they may have been required to step-in.

A final decision on whether the service would kick-in on Tuesday was confirmed at 2.30pm on Monday and it was stood down.

The DFS is running from November to March, and it is expected to swing into action 12 times whatever happens to ensure people get rewarded for being part of the scheme – with additional use if needed to protect supplies.

Octopus Energy had been the largest supplier signed up to the scheme but Ovo will bring even more customers able to make money by using power-intensive products such as washing machines and dishwashers at off-peak times.

Ovo said its customers could earn up to £100 as it is set to use the system at times between December 8 and March 31 next year. The scheme is only available to customers with smart meters.

Initially, the scheme is open to 15,000 Ovo customers, with this figure planned to increase after the first month, it said.

Raman Bhatia, chief executive officer of OVO, said: “We’re pleased to be joining the National Grid Electricity System Operator’s Demand Flexibility Scheme and launching another trial which rewards customers for their efforts in making small but significant changes to the way they consume energy.

“We know that winter is going to be a challenging time for many, so relieving that pressure where we can, and supporting our customers has never been more important.”