Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on (a) helping and (b) encouraging consumers to use smart technologies to help reduce (i) peak energy usage and (ii) overall demand on the energy grid.

Since publishing the Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan in July 2021, government, Ofgem and industry have been working to remove barriers, facilitate change, and spur innovation to deliver a smart and flexible energy system. We are working in partnership with industry to ensure consumers can engage in flexibility and are protected when they do so. In Autumn 2022, National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) launched the Demand Flexibility Service (DFS), allowing them to pay consumers to turn down their demand when there might be a shortage of electricity. The Government is working with the ESO as they review the DFS.