OVO’s Power Move trial rewarded customers almost £150,000 for shifting their energy to greener times last winter

• OVO’s Power Move trial saved customers almost £150,000 collectively over the winter period
• It delivered total carbon savings of  22.3 tonnes – equivalent to sequestering 64.2 acres of forest
• It’s essential that suppliers facilitate increased flexibility on the grid to reduce the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels
• This follows Grant Shapps’, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, multi billion pound investment in an energy revolution 

London, 14th April 2023: OVO’s Power Move trial, designed to increase the flexibility of the energy grid and decrease reliance on fossil fuels, rewarded customers almost £150,000 for shifting their energy to greener times over winter. 

Customers on the trial shifted 164,179 kWh out of peak times, delivering total carbon savings of  22.3 tonnes (averaging at 4.5 tonnes per month). Analysis shows that December was the highest carbon saving month with a total of 5 tonnes. 

Running from November 2022 – March 2023, the trial rewarded customers £20 per month, up to £100 in total, for shifting their energy usage outside the peak hours of 4pm-7pm on weekdays, when the grid is at its highest demand and relies on carbon-heavy fossil fuels. 

Incentivising more mindful energy consumption habits was vital in preventing blackouts last winter. An independent report commissioned by OVO in partnership with Energy Systems Catapult concluded that energy retailers must radically rethink their approach to consumers, helping them navigate net zero and move away from planet harming fossil fuels and towards home energy efficiency.

Mat Moakes, Chief Commercial Officer, OVO, said: 

“Flexibility must form part of the UK’s energy security plan, shielding us from the damaging effects of continued dependence on fossil fuels. This trial has rewarded customers for using energy at greener times and decongesting the grid as a result. We have a responsibility as industry and Government to support households with energy efficiency measures, now and in the future.”

END

Notes to Editors

About OVO

OVO was founded in 2009 and redesigned the energy experience to be fair, effortless, green and simple for all customers. OVO was awarded Company of the Decade at the BusinessGreen Leaders’ Awards and has won multiple awards, including Innovation Project of the Year, for investing in the market leading technology, customer service operations and digital products to help customers cut their carbon emissions. OVO is on a mission through its sustainability strategy Plan Zero to tackle the most important issue of our time; the climate crisis, by bringing our customers with us on the journey towards zero carbon living. OVO Energy has committed to being a net zero carbon business and achieve bold science-based carbon reduction targets, while helping customers reduce their household emissions at the same time.