Octopus Energy Urges Households to Cut Power During Solar Eclipse
National Energy System Operator issues warning as 1.3 gigawatts of solar power expected to be lost during Wednesday evening event.
Sarah Connor
Octopus Energy is asking households to avoid using electrical appliances during a solar eclipse on Wednesday.
Neso implements precautionary measures, ensuring a greater safety cushion between demand and energy supply. The electricity grid operator calls on energy producers to help deliver a contingency of around 676 megawatts.
A Neso spokesman confirmed, "We have used our routine tool of issuing an Electricity Margin Notice (EMN) for Wednesday evening’s peak, which simply means we are asking market participants to make any additional generation capacity they may have available."
We have used our routine tool of issuing an Electricity Margin Notice (EMN) for Wednesday evening’s peak, which simply means we are asking market participants to make any additional generation capacity they may have available.
The warning notice represents a "routine tool," asking the energy market to make additional generation capacity available, a Neso spokesperson stated. Solar energy accounted for a national record of 14.4% of all power generated in the UK in July.
Octopus Energy, serving approximately eight million UK customers, urges people to avoid using plug-in appliances and devices such as dishwashers, games consoles, and washing machines during the eclipse.
This action will, in turn, lower solar-powered electricity generation just as demand for energy surges, as people finish work and return home for the evening, Octopus Energy claims.
Demand for electricity is also expected to rise due to a heatwave, increasing the need for air conditioning and refrigeration. Electricity market prices have climbed to highs not seen since late June.
Kieron Stopforth claims that half a million customers already participate in “demand-shifting” programmes, noting a wider “need to create the right price signals in the market that incentivise more flexible energy use.” He also claims it remains a voluntary process.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin states that 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 their contribution.
Octopus Energy claims that if enough households delay using electricity for a short time during the eclipse, it could reduce the need for Great Britain’s electricity system operator to fire up extra gas-fired stations to replace the lost solar power.
A Neso spokesman confirmed, "The notice has been issued as a precautionary measure to the market due to the solar eclipse and there is no risk to customer electricity supplies."
The notice has been issued as a precautionary measure to the market due to the solar eclipse and there is no risk to customer electricity supplies.
The notice allows production to increase if necessary, boosting capacity in the grid, it is understood.