Households could get free electricity for doing washing on sunny weekends

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has introduced a revised Demand Flexibility Service, allowing households and businesses to access free or discounted electricity from their energy suppliers during times of surplus power, such as sunny weekends. This initiative, approved by the industry regulator Ofgem at the end of March, aims to prevent excess energy from being wasted and improve grid resilience during the summer months.

Previously, energy providers offered lower rates to customers in the UK to shift electricity usage away from peak hours. Now, they can also incentivize increased consumption when weather patterns create an abundance of renewable supply. NESO highlighted that summer demand typically drops due to warmer weather and longer days, while solar generation rises significantly.

Renewable energy production in Great Britain reached record levels last year, with wind being the primary source. Solar power output surged by nearly a third compared to 2024 figures. 2025 marked the sunniest year on record, and rooftop solar installations also hit a new high, with approximately 250,000 small-scale systems registered under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.

Under the updated scheme, customers with smart meters can be rewarded for using appliances like washing machines or dishwashers, and charging electric vehicles, during periods of high green energy generation and low demand. NESO will communicate preferred times to energy companies, who will then compensate suppliers for adjusting demand accordingly. These rewards may include free electricity, reduced rates, or points exchangeable for gift cards.

Regional differences will shape the program’s incentives. While some areas might encourage greater usage, others could prompt customers to reduce consumption. British Gas, Equiwatt, and Octopus Energy have already signed up for the initiative. NESO emphasized that managing low-demand scenarios is becoming more complex, potentially requiring more frequent use of its tools, including rare directives to power stations to lower output for safety.

Although renewable energy now accounts for over half of Britain’s electricity supply on about a third of days in 2025, the grid still heavily depends on fossil fuel gas. Gas-fired plants serve as a buffer, quickly ramping up production when renewable generation fluctuates. National Gas confirmed that the UK has sufficient gas reserves for the summer, primarily sourced from the UK Continental Shelf and Norway.

“The complexity of operating the system at low demand is increasing, and we may need to use more of our tools, and use them more often, than in previous summers,” NESO stated.

Glenn Bryn-Jacobsen, National Gas’s director of energy systems and resilience, added: “While Middle Eastern concerns have sparked questions about Britain’s gas supplies, our forecasts suggest the market can supply enough energy to meet summer demand.”