A major energy supplier is offering customers half-price electricity this winter.
The scheme, which runs between 11am and 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, could save households up to £300 on their energy bills.
Scottish Power has launched a major new energy-saving initiative offering their five million customers half-price electricity every weekend until April 2025.
The offer comes at a crucial time for British households, as energy costs continue to rise with a 1.2 per cent price cap increase set for January 2024.
The energy supplier’s weekend discount aims to help customers manage their electricity usage more effectively whilst reducing peak-time energy consumption.
To access the half-price electricity offer, customers must have a communicating smart meter installed and be registered with Scottish Power’s Power Saver service.
To access the half-price electricity offer, customers must have a communicating smart meter installed
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Registration for the Power Saver programme is straightforward, with Scottish Power promising to confirm participation within 14 days via email.
The discount will then be automatically applied to eligible customers’ accounts during the specified weekend hours.
Those without a smart meter who wish to participate are encouraged to apply for one through Scottish Power.
The scheme is exclusively available to Scottish Power electricity customers with smart meters, excluding those on Standard Variable Tariffs or fixed rates.
Once registered, customers can use as much electricity as they need during the specified weekend hours for half the price.
Scottish Power will use smart meter data to calculate electricity usage during these periods and automatically adjust bills accordingly.
Andrew Ward, Chief Executive of Scottish Power’s Customer Business, said: “Through half-price weekends, we hope to raise awareness of the benefits of using less electricity at peak times and encourage shifting usage to other days where they can.
“We know our customers are savvy when it comes to managing their energy use. We’re driving initiatives to help reduce bills, especially at this time of year when people are using more energy and the new price cap comes into force.”
The initiative follows a successful six-day trial involving 5,000 Scottish Power customers who adjusted their electricity usage patterns.
Trial participants achieved average savings of £35 annually, with the most efficient households saving up to £300. This could mean monthly savings of up to £25 for customers who shift their energy usage to the discounted weekend periods.
The scheme’s launch is particularly timely as the energy price cap is set to increase by 1.2 per cent in January, pushing average household bills to £1,738 – a £21 rise from October’s £1,717 cap.
The weekend discount programme could help offset this upcoming price increase for thousands of Scottish Power customers.
Customers interested in joining the scheme can check their eligibility through Scottish Power’s website or app.
Smart meters offer additional benefits beyond the discount scheme, eliminating the need for manual meter readings and ensuring accurate monthly bills.
However, customers are advised to monitor their smart meter readings regularly, as some devices have been known to malfunction and generate unexpected charges.
Those with different energy suppliers should check for similar deals with their current providers, which can be done via provider websites, apps or customer service lines.
Before switching plans for the discount scheme, customers should carefully consider the long-term advantages and disadvantages.