The UK’s energy and housing sectors are converging in a new development that could redefine what it means to live sustainably.
A collaboration between Octopus Energy, Octopus Real Estate, and Verto Homes has led to the creation of the country’s first residential scheme where occupants will pay no energy bills for ten years, marking a potential milestone in low-carbon living.
Set in Blagdon, near Bristol, the project offers a working model for how energy self-sufficiency and modern housing standards can be integrated at scale.
With a £6.9 million funding package and an ambitious rollout plan, the scheme introduces a new benchmark in residential sustainability—one that other developers and energy providers may soon be compelled to follow.
Sustainable Housing Project Backed by £6.9m Funding
The UK is set to welcome a housing first: a collection of 12 homes with no energy bills for a decade. The properties, located in Blagdon near Bristol, are part of a collaboration between Octopus Energy, Octopus Real Estate, and sustainable housebuilder Verto.
According to the announcement, the scheme will be financed by a £6.9 million loan facility from Octopus Real Estate, a division of Octopus Investments, and will be the first to adopt the ‘Zero Bills’ tariff designed by Octopus Energy.
The tariff, which guarantees residents zero energy bills for a minimum of ten years, is enabled by integrating each home with high-performance green technology. This includes triple-glazed windows, A-rated appliances, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, underfloor heating and EV charging points.
The properties will also feature energy management systems that optimise usage and storage, reducing demand on the grid.
Jenna Hollins, Investment Manager at Octopus Real Estate, said the homes were “pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency,” especially given that the site includes renovated units and buildings with Listed features. “We only support the development of quality, sustainable homes that are fit for the future,” she added.
A Push to Normalise Net-Zero and Net-Negative Living
The partnership between Octopus and Verto Homes marks another step towards redefining what constitutes standard living in the UK.
According to Tom Carr, Co-Founder of Verto, the aim is to make “net-negative carbon homes” the “new standard, not the exception.” Unlike traditional developments that focus on incremental sustainability improvements, Verto’s model emphasises holistic energy independence.
According to Nigel Banks, Director of the Zero Bills initiative at Octopus Energy, the project is part of a broader ambition to deliver 100,000 Zero Bills homes by 2030. “Our ‘Zero Bills’ initiative isn’t just about building homes—it’s about redefining living, where energy bills are a thing of the past.” he stated.
The significance of this development lies not only in its ambition but also in its replicability. While major energy firms such as British Gas, EDF, E.On Next, and Ovo are developing renewable initiatives, Octopus Energy’s fully integrated model presents a tangible example of how future housing can combine affordability with environmental responsibility.
These 12 homes in Blagdon may represent only a fraction of the housing stock, but they could prove instrumental in shaping public expectations and industry standards for sustainable residential living.
