Neso Launches Scheme Paying UK Households For Using Electricity On Sunny Weekends
Key Takeaways
- NESO will pay or discount electricity for households and businesses using more power during oversupply.
- Encourages running appliances, charging EVs during sunny, windy weekends to balance grid oversupply.
- Aims to balance the grid during renewable oversupply and prevent waste.
Neso's Demand Flexibility
Neso is launching a Demand Flexibility Scheme that will reward increased electricity use during periods of excess supply.
“Households and businesses could get free or cheaper electricity from their energy company for running appliances during periods of excess supply, such as sunny weekends”
The scheme builds on an existing program that incentivized reduced consumption during shortages.
Neso said low demand is increasingly driven by weather patterns, particularly solar photovoltaic generation.
The scheme is open to households with smart meters whose suppliers participate.
Rewards could include free or cheaper electricity, or points convertible into gift cards.
Surplus Power Challenge
Britain's electricity demand drops in summer while renewable generation surges.
Renewable energy produced a record amount of electricity in Great Britain last year.
2025 was the UK's sunniest year on record.
The complexity of operating the system at low demand is increasing.
On roughly a third of days in 2025, at least half of Britain's electricity came from renewables.
Supplier Participation
British Gas runs a separate scheme, PeakSave, offering half price electricity on Sunday afternoons.
“How households with smart meters may get free electricity Millions of households could soon be given free power or paid to use electricity during sunny and windy spells Millions of households could soon receive free electricity or even be paid to run washing machines or charge electric vehicles during periods of sunshine and strong winds”
Only British Gas and Octopus Energy had signed up so far, but Neso expects more suppliers to join.
The scheme could vary by area, creating different incentives in different parts of the country.
The government last year rejected proposals for regional electricity pricing.
Gas Supply and Market Context
National Gas said it expected Britain to have enough gas for the summer.
The scheme comes as households brace for rising costs due to conflict in the Middle East.
Ofgem's energy price cap is set to increase from £1,641 to £1,899 from July 1.
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