Power company half price energy deal to save customers up to £300 - how to get it

Scottish Power is set to offer a helping hand to households this winter by slashing electricity prices by half, with potential savings of up to £300. The discount will be available to smart meter customers every weekend until April 2025.

Aimed at combating the surge in energy bills, Scottish Power's half-price weekend tariff is also designed to encourage reduced energy consumption during peak hours, supporting more sustainable energy production. Customers can benefit from lower rates between 11am and 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

After a successful six-day pilot involving 5,000 customers, it was revealed that changing electricity usage patterns could lead to substantial savings, averaging at least £35 a year, with the top savers pocketing around £300. This scheme could see monthly savings of approximately £25 if customers adjust their energy use away from peak times.

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 due to increase by 1.2% in January, which will push the average household bill up to £1,738. This represents a £21 rise from the October price cap of £1,717.

Scottish Power's scheme could potentially ease this financial burden for thousands of its customers, although savings will depend on individual energy usage. To work out 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 is only available to those with a Scottish Power smart meter account, so if you're on an SVT or have a fixed rate, you won't qualify. It might be worth considering 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. However, it's important 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 worth considering the long-term benefits and drawbacks before changing plans. If you're not currently with one of these energy companies, it could be beneficial to see if your existing provider has any offers.