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In some parts of East Cambridgeshire, near like Littleport, technology and utility company Octopus Energy can now offer super free green electricity at certain times of the day when there is surplus electricity in particular areas. People will need to be customers of Octopus Energy and have a smart electric meter. It is also available in other parts of the East of England and South-East England with the UK Power Networks (UKPN) distribution area including some parts of Fenland District and Huntingdonshire District.
The power grid has to constantly work to balance supply and demand. When demand is high, the grid has to generate more energy, often paying through the nose to burn extra dirty fossil fuels. Last Winter, we paid customers £5.4 million to use less power at the busiest times instead in Saving Sessions.
On the flip side, if it’s super sunny and windy when demand is low, green generators can be forced to switch off. It’s a real shame to let those clean electrons go to waste: so we’re giving it to people for free instead.
This is just one more way people can benefit from using green energy flexibly, in tune with nature: using more when there’s wind and sun aplenty, and less when it’s scarce to avoid the need for extra fossil fuels.
