The head of the UK’s largest energy supplier has suggested some households might accept occasional power cuts in exchange for lower bills. His comments come as energy costs rise and debate intensifies over investment in Britain’s electricity network.
The remarks, made by Octopus Energy chief executive Greg Jackson, highlight growing tension between affordability and reliability in the transition to cleaner energy. They also follow last year’s major blackout in Spain and Portugal, which exposed vulnerabilities in modern power systems.
Rising household bills and the cost of infrastructure upgrades are central to the discussion. According to industry figures, network charges included in energy bills have increased significantly in recent years, placing additional pressure on consumers already facing higher costs due to global gas prices.
Debate over Affordability and Tolerance for Outages
Greg Jackson told an industry conference that some consumers might prioritise lower electricity costs over uninterrupted supply. Referring to Spain, he said many households would accept “the odd blackout” if it meant bills were around 25% lower, according to Utility Week, which first reported the comments.
He clarified that he was not advocating for blackouts, but argued that attitudes may be shifting. Jackson suggested people are now less concerned about short disruptions, partly because of access to devices with battery life that can last several hours. He also noted that home battery systems, which his company sells, have become more affordable.
The comments come in the context of a major power outage in April 2025 that affected Spain and Portugal. According to reports at the time, tens of millions of people experienced disruptions to transport, communications and essential services. The incident resulted in at least six deaths, including individuals unable to operate medical equipment.
Despite initial claims blaming renewable energy, the official report found that multiple factors contributed to the blackout, including both conventional and renewable power sources as well as network issues. This has complicated the debate around the reliability of low-carbon energy systems.
Grid Investment and the Cost Burden on Households
Jackson’s intervention also reflects broader concerns about the scale and cost of upgrading the UK’s electricity grid. Octopus Energy has argued that excessive spending on infrastructure risks locking consumers into higher bills for decades.
According to the company, countries such as Spain that have invested in renewable energy alongside flexible systems have achieved lower electricity prices and reduced exposure to price spikes. A spokesperson said the UK could face the opposite outcome if it continues to invest heavily in network expansion without sufficient scrutiny.
Energy bills are already rising. According to recent figures, the average dual-fuel household bill is expected to approach £2,000 per year from July, driven largely by higher gas prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Network costs have also increased, rising from around £254 per year in 2021 to £457 under the current price cap.
Not everyone in the sector agrees with Jackson’s assessment. Speaking at the same event, National Energy System Operator chief executive Fintan Slye said significant investment remains necessary to ensure electricity can be transported efficiently across the country. He indicated that future changes in electricity use would not extend to planned blackouts.
