A large number of British households would reportedly be paid to utilize clean power during the day, owing to the surge in clean power generated by solar and wind projects during the nation-wide lockdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Windfarms contributed approximately 40% of electricity in the UK, while solar power made up around a fifth of the country’s power system. Fossil-fuels contributed for approximately under 15% of electricity, of which just 1.1% originated from coal plants. In the meantime, the energy demand of the country has dropped by about 10% owing to the closure of factories, restaurants, pubs, and companies throughout the country, thereby leading to the country’s lowest electricity prices in over 10 years. UK homes which are on a new kind of home energy tariff would even be paid for using electricity during the daytime on Sunday, as brisk breeze and a sunny weather that have been forecast would help produce enough clean electricity to fulfil the low energy needs of the UK. The aptly-named ‘negative electricity costs’ had beforehand just been accessible to homes overnight, when the demand was at its most lower level. However, the effect of the lockdown due to coronavirus and the brilliant spring climate mean that few homes would be able to earn money while utilizing clean electricity during the daytime. Households which utilize the Agile Octopus energy tariff, provided by Octopus Energy, were reached out in order to inform them that they would be given remuneration for each kWh (kilowatt hour) of electricity they use during the sunniest phase of Sunday. The company further stated that the customers would earn nearly 0.22p-3.3p per kilowatt hour from 11am to 4pm to utilize the plentiful clean energy of the UK. As per analysts of Cornwall Insight, the coronavirus lockdown has lowered the demand for electricity across UK to somewhere in the range of 9% and 13%. The use of home-based energy is much higher since people are working from home and practicing self-isolation, the lockdown has prompted a lower demand for electricity throughout the country because of the shutdown of huge electrical loads like railways, factories, and shops. The energy bill savings are likewise likely for homes utilizing variable energy rates, which track down the wholesale energy-based markets. Source credit: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/05/thousands-to-be-paid-for-daytime-green-electricity-use-during-lockdown
UK households to be paid for using clean energy during lockdown
April 06, 2020
Energy & Power