Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in England, Scotland, Wales.
The Demand Flexibility Service (DFS) rewards you for using less energy during peak hours.
The DFS started in late 2022 and encouraged people to lower their energy use during peak times over the winter months. From November 2024, the DFS has been extended to run all year round.
If you’re interested in signing up, get in touch with your energy supplier to see if it’s taking part in the DFS.
What is the Demand Flexibility Service?
The service uses several energy saving ‘events’ throughout the year. If you’ve registered to take part, your energy supplier will let you know when there’s an upcoming event. 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.
Each event usually lasts for around an hour in the evenings when demand for electricity is at its peak. If you sign up, you’ll be asked to use less electricity during each event.
What do I get for taking part in the Demand Flexibility Service?
To thank you for taking part, energy suppliers offer their customers rewards. These include pounds or points that you can use towards paying for your energy bills. Rewards vary depending on your supplier, but the more electricity you save during each event the greater your rewards will be.
Who can take part in the Demand Flexibility Service?
You’ll need to:
Live or have a business in England, Scotland, or Wales. The Demand Flexibility Service doesn’t run in Northern Ireland.
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.
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. Check with your energy supplier to see if it’s taking part.
What can I do to save energy during a flexibility event?
Delay using your biggest energy consuming appliances. The top energy consuming appliances at home include your washing machine, tumble dryer, and dishwasher.
Turning off your TV or lights won’t make that much difference, so you can keep using those things.
Who runs the Demand Flexibility Service?
The Demand Flexibility Service is run by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy suppliers help to deliver it. NESO is responsible for making sure there’s enough electricity available to power Great Britain whenever it’s needed as well as planning for our future energy system.
Why do we need this service?
When demand for electricity is high, sometimes there’s not enough for everyone who needs it. In these situations, NESO has to switch on fossil fuel power plants to meet the increase in demand.
The Demand Flexibility Service reduces the need to turn on these power plants by lowering energy use at these peak times. It also helps NESO maintain a steady supply of electricity, helping us all save money on our bills and lower our collective carbon footprint.
What other ways can I use less energy at peak times of the day?
If we were more flexible with how we used our electricity, it could lead to an average household saving of hundreds of pounds each year. A report from Cornwall Insight estimates that a more flexible energy system could save people up to £375 a year by 2040. In the meantime, there are other things you can do:
Check if your energy supplier offers a time of use tariff. This can help you save on your energy bills by using your electricity at times when it’s cheaper.
Use National Grid’s WhenToPlugIn app to check when more of the electricity grid is powered by wind and solar. This means you can choose to use more low carbon electricity. It’s available on Google Play and App Store.
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