Octopus Energy calls for no coal as back-up

It says that paying customers for reducing their energy use is a cleaner, better alternative

Octopus Energy wants to end coal as a backup power source in winter.

National Grid previously asked coal plants to stand by due to cold weather, which has seen the UK experience tight margins.

Coal has been used to fill the gaps, which Octopus has criticised for its impact on the environment and public health.

It wants proven alternatives used instead, like National Grid’s ‘Demand Flexibility Service’ (DFS) – which entails customers being paid for reducing energy consumption during peak times.

Octopus Energy has its own version of this called ‘Saving Sessions,’ with almost half of eligible smart meter customers participating, paying out almost £5 million to those that have reduced demand.

Alex Schoch, Head of Flexibility at Octopus Energy, said: “National Grid’s new DFS is already offering a cheaper, more practical and sustainable solution to peaks in energy demand, while putting millions of pounds back into people’s pockets that would otherwise be paid to fossil fuel companies. Even during this cold snap, households can deliver the flexibility that’s needed, get paid for it and reduce costs for everyone.”

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