OVO helps residents across the UK save on their energy at community events

• Residents attended OVO in the Community events, which took place in Stornoway, Inverness, Glasgow, Dundee, Newport, Swansea, London, Portsmouth, Coventry, Newcastle and Bristol.
• OVO provided a selection of free energy-saving products, including a total of 1,489 electric throws, 1,268 solar battery banks, 882 smart thermostats, and 305 packs of lightbulbs.
• 89% of attendees said they were worried about the cost of energy.

19th December 2025: Community spaces across the UK opened their doors to residents to offer support from experts on how to save money on energy bills and improve energy efficiency.

Attendees were able to speak to OVO’s specialist advisors about simple ways to reduce their energy consumption. Advisors also handed out a selection of free energy-saving products, including a total of 1,489 electric throws, 1,268 solar battery banks, 882 smart thermostats, and 305 packs of lightbulbs. Overall, the energy-saving products and energy-efficiency guidance provided could save families an average of up to £300 – £360 per year.

Several charities were also in attendance to provide support and debt advice. These included fuel poverty charities Scope and StepChange, as well as Samaritans, Income Max, and Warm Welcome.

The OVO in the Community event series was launched in response to the cost-of-living crisis, and as part of OVO’s £56 million Extra Support Package. The events aim to bring communities together at the coldest time of year and provide tangible support for those that need it most.

The events were open to everyone, regardless of whether they were an OVO customer or not. 

Steve Donovan, Vulnerable Customer Lead, at OVO, said: “We know that people are worried about their energy bills this winter, and OVO in the Community events are designed to provide support to those who need it most. We would like to thank our charity partners for their help in making our support package even more accessible.”

OVO has provided £190m in support since 2022, offering measures such as heated blankets, smart sockets, and efficiency kits, and assisted 42,000 customers last year. 

OVO’s customer support package includes:

• Free energy saving products: This includes electric throws, smart sockets, and home efficiency kits.
• Energy efficiency upgrades: Customers could receive a wide range of energy-saving measures installed through GBIS – from loft insulation to a new boiler, or even high-end tech like heat pumps. Eligible customers could get a whole package installed, all for free.
• Financial support: This includes Direct Debit reductions, emergency credit top-ups, and extended repayment plans.
• New partnerships and increased financial relief for customers: alongside help for organisations including Warm Welcome Campaign and StepChange.
• Dedicated support: in the most financial difficulty will receive help from a specialist team.

OVO is also calling for a social tariff to protect those who cannot afford to heat their homes through the sustained period of high prices to come.

A recent report by the Green Alliance shows a social tariff offering discounted energy bills to low-income households would lift more people out of poverty than the government’s Warm Home Discount did in 2024. There is strong public support for the introduction of a social tariff, with two thirds (67%) of people in support. Over three quarters (77%) of people believe it would positively impact the most vulnerable households and half (53%) believe it would make a considerable difference to them personally or people they know.