Octopus Energy: use less electricity during solar eclipse
Summary
Great Britain’s largest home energy provider, Octopus Energy, is asking customers to use less electricity during a solar eclipse expected this Wednesday evening. The eclipse will reduce solar power output just as a heatwave increases electricity use, so the company wants people to delay running appliances to help avoid extra gas power use.Key Facts
- The solar eclipse may block up to 95% of the sun over parts of Great Britain between 6pm and 8pm.
- This will stop most of the country’s solar power generation for a short time.
- At the same time, the heatwave will raise electricity demand for cooling devices like air conditioners and fans.
- Octopus Energy offers two free hours of electricity next weekend to customers who avoid using unnecessary power during the eclipse.
- If households reduce electricity use, the need for gas power stations could be lessened.
- Solar power loss due to the eclipse in Europe is expected to reach 9.7 gigawatts, with 700 megawatts to 1.3 gigawatts lost in the UK alone.
- Heatwave effects have already forced some nuclear and coal power plants in Europe to reduce or stop output due to low cooling water levels.
- The National Energy System Operator recently faced criticism for managing the electricity grid during these challenges.
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