Working families will soon get more control over their energy use – and their bills – under new government plans to drive a smarter, more flexible electricity system.
The Clean Flexibility Roadmap promises a shift away from a one-size-fits-all energy market to one that rewards consumers for using power when it’s cheapest and greenest.
From smart EV charging to overnight appliances, households will be able to tap into lower-cost electricity at non-peak times and save hundreds of pounds a year.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the new system would “give households and businesses the choice and control over when and how they use their energy” as the UK ramps up its clean power push.
The shift to smart usage could also unlock massive system savings – with government estimates suggesting up to £70 billion could be saved by 2050 if more consumers and businesses flex their energy use.
The roadmap sets out steps to support consumers with easier access to smart tariffs, real-time usage data and tailored services.
That includes a proposed Flexibility Commissioner, new accountability measures with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator (NESO), and a new annual forum to track delivery.
The aim? To grow flexible capacity from 2023 levels to as much as 66 GW by 2030, doubling or even tripling today’s capability. This could help households lower their bills while boosting grid resilience.
Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, said: “A one-size-fits-all approach to energy doesn’t work for the world we live in now. The Government’s shift to personalised power is the right one.” He said British Gas customers had already saved “over £25 million” through its Peak Save scheme.
“Whether it’s smart charging an EV overnight or running appliances off-peak, we’re empowering households to get cheaper, greener energy with tech that works around our customers lives – not the other way around.”
Ofgem’s Akshay Kaul called it “a real game changer”, adding that “small lifestyle tweaks” like running dishwashers or charging cars during windy nights could deliver real savings.
The roadmap is backed by a consultation on how to better engage consumers and a call for evidence on improving visibility of distributed energy assets like heat pumps.
It also confirms the government will continue exploring a smart data scheme to help households access personalised, secure services.
Today’s announcement builds on December’s Clean Power 2030 plan – and marks a major step in the mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower.
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