- The government’s Clean Flexibility Roadmap will help consumers take advantage of off-peak energy
- EV drivers could save up to £330 annually by charging their vehicle overnight
- Using off-peak electricity could save roughly £70bn in system costs by 2050
Households and businesses will have more options to switch to flexible tariffs and save on their energy bills at non-peak times, as part of the government’s Clean Flexibility Roadmap.
Developed by the government, Ofgem and National Energy System Operator (NESO), the plans will offer more choice and flexibility to people who want to switch to flexible tariffs and use smart appliances to take advantage of clean energy at non-peak times.
The announcement is part of a government strategy to achieve energy independence and end reliance on foreign imports. It is also a crucial milestone towards the government’s goal of making Britain a clean energy superpower, as part of its Plan for Change.
There are already established ways of saving energy using cheap electricity reaping the benefits of non-peak power. For example, electric vehicle (EV) drivers could save £330 annually by charging their vehicles overnight.
The government’s commitments in the Clean Flexibility Roadmap mean that EV drivers will now be eligible for discounts on their electricity when using public chargers at off-peak times.
Kayte O’Neill, chief operating officer, NESO, said these updates will lead the UK towards a decarbonised system, bringing opportunities for industries and consumers, if it can “solve the challenge of using the system flexibility”.
She said the roadmap offers a “clear direction” toward bill saving and decarbonisation.”
Director general for infrastructure, Ofgem, Akshay Kaul, said making the system more flexible would be “a real game changer” that will give households, “more control over what they pay for their energy”.
Kaul also said that “small lifestyle tweaks,” such as programming a dishwasher or tumble dryer to run overnight when costs are low or charging an electric car during high winds can have “a material impact on people’s bills”.
As outlined, the government’s flexible electricity system will support those wanting to take advantage of low prices when clean energy is in abundance, from using smart appliances, all the way to switching to a more flexible tariff. The priority will be to help working families save on their bills.
Michael Shanks, minister for energy, said that this roadmap gives households and businesses the choice and control over when and how they use their energy.
He said a flexible electricity system will support households looking to lower their bills through “new tariffs and technology”.
“In this way we will protect working people’s pockets and ensure they are the first to benefit from our clean power mission.”
This change will require suppliers to make smart tariff information more accessible and understandable in an effort to help consumers use tailored services based on their electricity usage.
The potential for savings is huge. Using electricity at off-peak times is predicted to make up to an estimated £70bn in system cost savings by 2050 as it boosts the efficiency of the electricity network.
Ramona Vlasiu, chief operating officer, E.ON Next said it welcomes the government’s Clean Flexibility Roadmap, as a vital step in giving households more control over their energy use and bills.
“We’re already helping customers unlock these benefits through innovative time-of-use tariffs, smart battery trials that could save households up to £300 a month, and our partnership with Northern Powergrid to explore how smart technologies and local energy solutions can help lower bills and support a more resilient grid,” he said.
“Flexibility is key to a cleaner, more affordable energy future. We support continued progress on the policies and regulations that will make it easier and more accessible for people to transform their relationship with energy, tackle long-term affordability, and ensure everyone can benefit from Britain’s transition to clean power.”
