Octopus Energy issues warning for millions of households over energy use today

Octopus energy urges customers to avoid using dishwashers and washing machines during the solar eclipse

Taking place between 19:00 and 19:30 tomorrow, the eclipse will bring millions of the UK’s population to gaze at the sky.

Octopus energy is urging customers to avoid running washing machines and dishwashers between 18:00 and 20:00 while our moon covers 95% of the sun.

The UK is undergoing one of its biggest heatwaves, meaning higher demand for air conditioning, fans and refrigeration.

However, the eclipse is expected to deprive Octopus’ solar powered energy supplies in the last instances of the day.

The energy supplier believes that if enough households delay using their electrical household items, it could reduce the need for extra gas-fired stations to replace the lost solar power during the eclipse. 

“Household flexibility is one of Britain’s biggest untapped energy resources,” the supplier said. 

“Octopus estimates homes could provide a whopping 13 gigawatts of flexible capacity to support the electricity system.”

The heatwaves have forced the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to issue warnings on energy consumption, as soaring temperatures are shifting higher demands for electrical appliances. 

The solar eclipse is expected to ‘wipe out’ 9.7 gigawatts of power production across Europe during the eclipse time. 

For the UK, which will see a far darker sun than in other European countries, it is estimated we will lose up to 1.3 gigawatts of solar power during that time. 

Additionally, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires have caused nuclear and coal plants to radically reduce their output over the summer. 

“Europe’s electricity supply is already tight amid the heatwave,” said analysts at RBC Capital Markets. 

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, the Octopus chief customer officer, said: “Many of us will be looking up at the sky on Wednesday evening to experience this once-in-a-generation event. 

“But as the sun disappears, so will some of Britain’s solar generation, just as demand peaks.

“By shifting everyday tasks like the washing machine or dishwasher until later, households can help reduce the need for gas power stations, and earn rewards for doing their bit.”