OVO launches Power Move: scheme to reduce demand on the energy grid and save customers up to £100 each this winter

• Customers rewarded up to £100 for shifting energy usage to (on average) greener times of day
• New trial helps to reduce peak demand on grid over winter
• Typical household uses a fifth of their daily energy between 4pm and 7pm
• Supports OVO’s Plan Zero mission to decarbonise homes and save consumers money

6th October 2022, London: Today, OVO, the UK’s third largest energy supplier, announces the launch of Power Move - an innovative new trial helping customers to cut usage during peak times and save money. 

The trial rewards customers up to £100 in total for moving non-essential energy use to times when the grid is (on average) greener and less congested. 

Data from the trial will be used to understand usage during peak times and develop propositions that support a greener, fairer and more resilient energy system.

OVO has used customer data to determine that between 4pm - 7pm is usually when demand on the energy grid is usually the highest. Its data shows that the average household uses 19% of their daily total usage during these hours. At these times of peak demand, there’s often not enough renewable energy to go round, and so dirtier carbon-heavy power fires up to fill the gap. 

The company is looking for participants to cut their average consumption during these hours to less than 12.5%. For the average household, that could be the equivalent of moving three loads of washing per week from peak time to a greener time of day. £20 will be rewarded for each month that this is achieved on average. The trial runs from 1st November 2022 - 31st March 2023.

An independent report commissioned by OVO in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult concluded that energy retailers must radically rethink their approach to consumers, helping them navigate net zero and move away from planet harming fossil fuels and towards home energy efficiency.

OVO will be contacting customers to apply from mid October.

Raman Bhatia, CEO OVO, said:

“The UK energy sector is at a crucial point, and we need a resilient grid to get us through this winter. 

“This trial provides essential consumer data which can be shared with the Government and the National Grid to prevent power shortages, and will give customers a deeper insight into their energy consumption habits, with great potential savings.”

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Notes to Editors

Customer information:

• Please find more information on the blog here. 

About OVO Energy 

OVO Energy was founded in 2009 and redesigned the energy experience to be fair, effortless, green and simple for all customers.  The company has spent the last decade investing in the market leading technology, customer service operations and digital products to help customers cut their carbon emissions. OVO is on a mission through its sustainability strategy Plan Zero to tackle the most important issue of our time; the climate crisis, by bringing our customers with us on the journey towards zero carbon living. OVO Energy has committed to being a net zero carbon business and achieve bold science-based carbon reduction targets, while helping customers reduce their household emissions at the same time.