Scottish Power to offer half-price electricity this winter – but there’s a catch | Personal Finance | Finance
Scottish Power is set to offer a lifeline to households this winter with a half-price electricity deal, potentially saving customers up to £300. The discount will be available to smart meter customers every weekend until April 2025.
The energy firm’s half-price weekend offer is designed to combat the surge in energy bills and forms part of a wider plan to reduce energy consumption during peak times, thereby supporting more sustainable energy production.
Customers can benefit from reduced rates between 11am and 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
After a successful six-day trial that included 5,000 customers, it was revealed that changing electricity usage patterns could lead to substantial savings, with an average annual saving of at least £35 and the highest around £300.
This scheme could result in monthly savings of approximately £25 if customers adjust their energy use away from peak periods.
Andrew Ward, Chief Executive of Scottish Power’s Customer Business, said: “Through half-price weekends, we hope to raise awareness of the benefits of using less electricity at peak times and encourage shifting usage to other days where they can.”
He further stated, “We know our customers are savvy when it comes to managing their energy use. We’re driving initiatives to help reduce bills, especially at this time of year when people are using more energy and the new price cap comes into force”.
The energy price cap is set to surge by 1.2% in January, nudging the average household bill up to £1,738. This signifies a £21 hike from the October price cap of £1,717.
Scottish Power’s scheme could potentially ease this financial burden for thousands of its customers. However, the savings will fluctuate based on individual energy usage.
To determine your current monthly usage, you can refer to your smart meter device or app, unless you’re on a Standard Variable Tariff (SVT), where a manual reading is necessary. The offer only applies to those with a Scottish Power smart meter account, so if you’re on an SVT or have a fixed rate, you won’t be eligible.
It’s worth contemplating getting a smart meter not just for this winter deal, but also for its overall convenience. With a smart meter, there’s no need for regular meter readings, ensuring accurate monthly bills.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the figures as some smart meters have been known to malfunction and incur unexpected charges. If you’re a Scottish Power customer unsure about your current plan and interested in a smart meter, visit their website or app for more information.
However, bear in mind that the half-price energy deal is only available for the winter months, so it’s important to consider the long-term benefits and drawbacks before changing plans. If you’re not currently with one of these energy companies, it may be worth checking if your existing provider has any special offers.
This information can be easily found by visiting their website, using their app or calling their customer service line.
