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Avoid using washing machines and dishwashers during solar eclipse, Octopus urges

Octopus is asking customers to avoid running washing machines and dishwashers during the eclipse, which will happen between 6pm and 8pm

[Partial solar eclipse]

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The eclipse will happen this Wednesday(Image: Getty)

Octopus Energy, the UK's biggest energy supplier, is urging its customer to use less power during the solar eclipse.

During the celestial event, the amount of solar power generation will temporarily drop - and this will happen at the peak time in the evening when households are home and using energy-heavy appliances.

The eclipse will begin shortly after 6pm and conclude at around 8pm this Wednesday, with the moon expected to block up to 95% of the sun. Octopus is asking customers to avoid running washing machines and dishwashers during this time.

As a reward for doing this, the supplier said it will give customers who are signed up to its "savings sessions" scheme a free hour of electricity to use next weekend.

[Blue laundry basket full of clothes in foreground of washing machine in laundry room / pantry at home]

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Octopus is asking customers to avoid energy-hungry appliances(Image: Marla Aufmuth via Getty Images)

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Octopus chief customer officer, said: Many of us will be looking up at the sky on Wednesday evening to experience this once-in-a-generation event. But as the sun disappears, so will some of Britains solar generation, just as demand peaks.

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.

It is expected that domestic solar generation will drop by roughly 700 to 1,300 megawatts. The National Energy System Operator (Neso) said it expects the evening peak in electricity demand will be later than usual on Wednesday as millions head outdoors to watch the eclipse.

In a post on X, Neso said: "As millions of people head outside to catch a glimpse, Britain's electricity demand is expected to shift too. It's something we've been planning for over a year, helping keep the electricity system balanced while the nation looks to the skies."

It comes as energy bills are forecast to rise again this winter in another blow for millions of households. The Ofgem price cap went up by 13% in July but analysts have warned of another bill rise when the price cap updates again in October.

This would come just as temperatures start to drop and households begin to turn on their central heating. Energy research and consultancy firm Cornwall Insight currently predicts the Ofgem price cap will go up by another 2%.

Ofgem has updated its methodology to reflect that people are now using less energy as a way to save money.

Under previous Ofgem calculations, the current price cap is set at 1,862 a year and Cornwall Insight predicts this could rise to 1,906 in October.

But based on its new lower estimates, the current price cap is set 1,663 a year and analysts say it could increase to 1,699 in October.

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