Energy supplier Utilita Energy has launched a new month-long trial this winter offering energy credits to households that reduce or avoid energy consumption during peak times.
Once a week the 1,020 households involved in the trial will receive an SMS notification one hour before each Power Payback event, this will usually be between 5:30pm-10:30pm. If there is a reduction in domestic energy consumption during the event, the customer will receive energy credits equal to the cost savings.
The trial proved popular amongst Utilita customers being oversubscribed by 50% within 48 hours, according to a statement made by Utilita’s chief home services officer George Walters.
Power Payback will aim to tackle increased volatility across the energy market during winter by helping to guide household energy usage, avoiding peak times and passing on the savings to their customers. According to Utilita, usage data suggests potential savings of up to £76.44 per household through the Power Payback scheme.
The trial’s first week has shown positive results said Archie Lasseter, Utilita’s sustainability lead, , with “72.25% of the 1020 households taking part able to reduce their consumption and have received payment for doing so”.
A number of companies have launched demand flexibility services recently, not least National Grid ESO. Its Demand Flexibility Service was officially approved by Ofgem earlier this month, with the first trials imminent.
Meanwhile other suppliers have launches services, including Octopus Energy’s “Saving Sessions” and OVO Energy’s “Power Move”.
Earlier this year Ofgem issued provisional orders to Utilita for failing to support vulnerable customers.
