THOUSANDS of households will be paid to switch off their appliances for the first time during a specific time period tonight.

The National Grid's 'demand flexibility service' pays households to cut their energy usage during busy times to help prevent blackouts.

The National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) will run the scheme between 5pm and 6pm on Monday (January 23).

The scheme is designed to ease the pressure on power networks at the busiest times – for example during very cold weather.

Households are being paid to lower the nations energy usage at peak-times and to help lower the risk of households facing blackouts this winter.

But the ESO said it doesn't mean energy supplies are at risk, and people don't need to worry.

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The exact amount you get will depend on your supplier, how much you reduce usage and how many times you take part.

Any customers who have already signed up via their supplier to the DFS don't need to do anything to sign up to tonight's event.

They just have to respond how they would usually, via email or text.

Here's the full list of which energy suppliers are taking part in the switch off and how much each will pay.

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Octopus Energy

Octopus has confirmed that it will be taking part in the scheme tonight.

Customers who turn their appliances off will be rewarded with £3.37 per kilowatt hour (kWh) of energy they save compared to their normal usage during the two-hour time period.

This is 50% more than what was previously offered in the trial last year.

Customers will be handed the cash via their accounts as 'Octo Point'.

They will then be given the chance to use it towards their energy bill, withdraw it to their bank accounts or use it for other rewards Octopus offers.

The points should be added to accounts within a couple of days but definitely by two weeks.

Ovo

Ovo will also be taking part tonight.

Customers an make a minimum of £1 for every kWh shifted below their personal target – the more electricity shifted, the greater the reward.

An average home could earn around £50 in total, but it could be up to £100 depending on usage and participation in more events.

The supplier will be sending emails out to customers taking part today, with information about how it'll work.

British Gas

British Gas confirmed that its 'Peak Save' scheme will run this evening (January 23).

The supplier said it will double the payments made to customers this winter to provide a greater incentive to shift demand.

For instance, if you save 1kwh in energy and National Grid pays customers £3, then British Gas will double this to £6.

It will be applied to your account as credit towards your energy bill. 

E.ON

E.On confirmed it would also be inviting customers to turn off their appliances tonight (January 23).

We've asked how much it'll pay customers and are waiting to hear back.

Those that do take part will be able to use the cash as credit towards their energy bill.

Shell Energy

Shell Energy told us it won't be taking part in tonight's (January 27) event.

However, it did say it is working with National Grid to offer its customers the chance to be part of the scheme for future events.

We've also asked EDF and are waiting to hear back.

What is the demand flexibility service?

National Grid has warned that Brits face three-hour blackouts this winter.

To help prevent blackouts National Grid has established the demand flexibility scheme which pays people to use less energy during peak times.

The scheme is run by energy suppliers who will be notified by the National Grid when the service can go live if the UK's energy supply falls low.

The scheme has been tested twice since it launched and energy suppliers offering trials are free to continue these tests in the meantime.

National Grid is aimingfor 12 trial sessions of the service even if there are no blackouts this winter – though tonight's event isn't part of the tests.

To get the money, customers will be expected to shift their use of power away from times of high demand to help prevent blackouts.

That could mean putting on the dishwasher or washing machine overnight or charging an electric vehicle at off-peak times.

The system which pays households to cut their usage at peak times has been tested twice since it was launched a month ago.

Without the scheme, there could be cold days creating a demand that outstrips supply.

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It would then mean certain areas of the UK, would be warned of planned blackouts.

According to the National Grid, in this scenario, there would be a potential need to interrupt the supply to some customers for limited periods.

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