UK Energy Saving Sessions

UK energy saving sessions can reward households for changing when they use electricity. This guide explains how to check participating providers, understand an event and plan flexible electricity use.

Availability and rewards depend on your provider. Read its current terms and event instructions before taking part.

UK Energy Saving Sessions

The Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) is operated by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Households participate through registered providers.

How does the Demand Flexibility Service work?

DFS became a year-round service in November 2024. Changes introduced in April 2026 allow flexibility in both directions, so follow your provider’s instructions about whether an event calls for using less or more electricity. There is no fixed winter-only timetable.

What do I get for taking part in the Demand Flexibility Service?

Providers may offer bill credits, money or points. The reward calculation, qualifying activity and payment timing are set by your provider; check these before opting in.

Who can take part in the Demand Flexibility Service?

You’ll need to:

• Live or have a business in England, Scotland, or Wales.
• Get your energy from a supplier that’s registered to take part in the service. You can also take part using registered third-party apps that connect to your smart meter. Remember, you can only take part with one registered provider.
• Have a working smart meter so your energy supplier can accurately and quickly measure your energy use. If you don’t have one, read our advice on getting a smart meter.

How do I sign up to the Demand Flexibility Service?

How you sign up depends on your energy supplier or chosen provider. Some will contact you via email or in-app notifications. Others have a form for you to register your interest.

Use NESO’s DFS page and registered-provider directory to find participation information, then check your chosen provider’s eligibility and sign-up process.

Look out for invitations from your provider and read its participation terms. Do not assume that every supplier or tariff offers the same sessions.

How do I know when each event takes place?

If you’ve registered to take part in the service, your energy supplier or chosen provider will let you know when an event is scheduled. You’ll get a notification telling you the date and time of each event – this might be on the same day or the day before.

Check whether your provider requires you to opt in separately to each event.

What can I do during an event asking me to reduce electricity use?

• Delay using your biggest energy consuming appliances during each event. The top energy consuming appliances at home include your washing machine, tumble dryer, and dishwasher.
• Use appliances that consume less energy during an event. For example, use your microwave instead of your oven. 
• Move your usual activities to before or after the event, including cooking or charging your electric car.

Turning off your TV or lights won’t make that big of an energy saving. You don’t need to sit in silence or in the dark during an event. 

Which company runs the Demand Flexibility Service?

NESO runs DFS, with registered providers organising participation for households and businesses.

Why do we need this service?

Electricity use and generation need to stay in balance. Changing the timing of flexible demand gives the system operator another way to manage the network.

Flexibility does not necessarily mean using less energy overall: it can mean moving an activity to another time. Any bill saving depends on the tariff, reward and extra consumption involved.

Is the demand flexibility service new?

DFS launched in winter 2022/23 and has since evolved. Consult NESO’s current service information for updates.

What other ways can I use less energy at peak times of the day?

Outside an organised event, consider these ways to manage when you use electricity:

• Check if your energy supplier offers a time-of-use tariff. Compare the full tariff and shift suitable electricity use to its cheaper periods. 
• Use the Carbon Intensity forecast, listed among NESO’s public tools, to see when grid electricity is forecast to have lower carbon emissions. A lower-carbon period is not necessarily the cheapest period on your tariff.

And remember, check if your energy supplier or chosen provider is registered to take part in the Demand Flexibility Service and sign up in time for the next scheduled event.  

Want to find out how you can earn money during these sessions?

Read our earlier article about winter flexibility sessions for historical context. For current availability and rewards, use your provider’s latest terms.