British energy companies are asking consumers to turn off the lights for an hour and not to make tea for a fee. The request is part of a larger plan to prevent power outages. Not everyone can participate in the experiment and you can’t get rich, says British correspondent Lia van Bekhoven.
The request is valid for Monday evenings from 17:00 to 18:00 and is part of the Flexibility of Demand service. “If you turn off practically everything and therefore don’t do the laundry, don’t use the dishwasher and light the candles instead of turning on the light, then you can earn 12 euros in the most favorable case,” says Van Bekhoven. And that only applies to people who have a smart meter in their meter closet and have signed up for the project. “It won’t make you rich.”
The experiment where people are rewarded for using less energy was devised last year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “One million customers and energy companies have now signed up for this project,” says Van Bekhoven. 26 suppliers have also joined the programme, including British Gas, EoN, Octopus Energy and EDF.
The reason for conducting this experiment today is the cold. In England, code yellow applies to some parts of the country, many flights at Heathrow Airport have been delayed.
Wind energy
The experiment is seen rather as a precautionary measure, and therefore not a long-term solution. “Every country is working on structural solutions to the energy crisis, the UK is investing heavily in wind power and within 7 years the country wants to produce enough wind power for all households in the country,” says Van Bekhoven.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
