The operator of the British unified power system National Grid plans to introduce incentive measures for consumers to reduce the amount of electricity consumption during peak hours, the Daily Express reported.
The operator plans to pay up to £6 per kWh to households that reduce their electricity consumption between 17:00 and 20:00. With this measure, the company wants to encourage consumers to turn off energy-consuming household appliances, such as washing machines and game consoles, during peak hours.
A spokesperson for the operator said they are developing “a new service that will be available to consumers this winter.”
National Grid has asked regulator Ofgem for permission to introduce the scheme by the end of October amid concerns that heavy power demand in electricity consumption during the fall could overburden the grid.
The Energy Savings Trust said that washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers account for 14% of an average energy bill, with consumer electronics such as laptops, TVs, and game consoles accounting for another 6%.
Energy consultancy Auxilione recently forecast that the UK’s average annual electricity bill could rise to £6,000 or $7,100 next April.