The eclipse will obscure more than 90 per cent of the Sun across parts of the UK, with Devon, Cornwall and western Pembrokeshire expected to experience some of the deepest coverage. The event coincides with the evening period when electricity demand typically rises as households use appliances after returning home.
According to the Birmingham Mail, customers must be signed up to Octopus Energy’s Octoplus rewards programme and its Savings Sessions scheme to take part. The initiative links the astronomical event with an attempt to reduce electricity demand while solar output is temporarily lower.
Why Octopus Wants Households to Reduce Electricity Use
The eclipse is expected to cover up to 95 per cent of the Sun in some parts of Britain between the early evening and shortly after 8pm. That temporary loss of sunlight will reduce the amount of electricity being produced by solar installations at the same time as household demand is rising.
According to GB News, solar power accounted for a record 14.4 per cent of Britain’s total electricity generation last month. A sudden reduction in solar output therefore creates a gap that has to be balanced elsewhere in the electricity system. Octopus says customers can help by postponing electricity-intensive household tasks. The company has suggested delaying activities such as using washing machines, dishwashers or games consoles until after the two-hour period.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, chief customer officer at Octopus Energy, said many people would be watching the eclipse on Wednesday evening, but the drop in sunlight would also reduce some of Britain’s solar generation at a time when demand is high. “By shifting everyday tasks like the washing machine or dishwasher until later, households can help reduce the need for gas power stations – and earn rewards for doing their bit,” she said.
The Eclipse Power Down initiative forms part of the company’s Octoplus rewards programme. According to GB News, the scheme has more than two million members and has distributed more than £11 million in rewards, while supplying 20.5GWh of complimentary electricity to participating households.
Free Electricity and a Separate Eclipse Competition
Customers who successfully reduce their electricity use between 6pm and 8pm will receive free electricity the following weekend. Participation is limited to eligible customers who are already enrolled in the required Octopus programmes.
Alongside the power-reduction scheme, Octopus is running a separate eclipse photography competition. The winner can receive a fully installed set of solar panels for their home or choose a £12,000 cash alternative.
The eclipse itself will be the deepest seen from Britain since 1999. In Devon, Cornwall and the westernmost parts of Pembrokeshire, between 94 and 96 per cent of the Sun is expected to be obscured by the Moon.
For people planning to watch the event, astronomer Imo Bell advised using safe viewing methods. She said a solar telescope offered one option, while local astronomy societies might also be running viewing events. Bell also described a simple projection method using a household colander. With the observer’s back facing the Sun, light passing through the holes can project multiple images of the eclipse into the colander’s shadow, allowing the event to be viewed indirectly.
