Launched with Voltus, marking the North American energy flexibility leader’s entry into the UK market

Available to large businesses across the country, no matter who their energy supplier is

‍London, 9th  November 2026 – Octopus Energy has launched the initial phase of a new service that pays large businesses to shift their electricity use, slashing bills and helping bring down costs across the energy system.

As an energy aggregator, Octopus is bringing its deep flexibility expertise to help commercial and industrial businesses, such as factories, warehouses, and hotels save or earn money by turning down their electricity use at busy times or shifting tasks to when renewable power is plentiful.

Businesses are paid for every megawatt (MW) of power they can shift – roughly the power a big supermarket or commercial office block draws at any one time – potentially earning them tens of thousands of pounds a year.*

To start, the programme is open to large energy users who spend over £20,000 a month on electricity. They don’t need to switch to Octopus Energy to join. Octopus Energy for Business customers can boost their savings even further by pairing this programme with smart tariffs such as Shape Shifters, where customers have saved an average of 7% on their annual electricity bills by using power at cheaper, greener times.

Octopus Peak Performance is powered by Voltus, which manages 8.5 gigawatts (GW) of flexible capacity in North America. The launch marks Voltus’ first move into the UK market, bringing its experience in helping businesses earn revenue from energy flexibility.

This comes as UK businesses face the highest industrial electricity prices in Europe. ** But, by 2030, British businesses could provide up to 6 GW of flexible electricity demand – equivalent to the energy use of 6,000 supermarkets – and get paid for it. It would also help reduce Britain’s reliance on expensive gas and make better use of homegrown wind and solar.

Alex Schoch, Director of Flexibility and Electrification at Octopus Energy, said: “British businesses face some of the highest electricity prices in Europe. Octopus Peak Performance helps British businesses take back control of their energy bills. Over a million Octopus households already get paid to adjust when they use electricity. We're bringing that same idea to businesses – helping them save money and become more competitive without disrupting day-to-day operations."

Marissa Galizia, Senior Director of Partnerships at Voltus, said: “Britain’s grid is under strain, and energy flexibility from businesses is one of the fastest ways to ease it. Through this new service with Octopus, commercial and industrial businesses have a way to provide it and earn revenue for doing so.”

The launch builds on Octopus’s track record in paying customers for flexible usage. Its Saving Sessions scheme has paid households nearly £12 million for using less at peak times, and 1.8 million Octopus customers joined in to help balance the grid during this summer’s heatwave.

Businesses can register their interest in signing up to Octopus Peak Performance here: https://octopus.energy/businesses/peak-performance/

* Illustrative annual earnings per MW of flexible demand, based on Octopus modelling. “Tens of thousands” is based on a modelled scenario of 1MW participation across 365 hours of wholesale demand turn-down across one year at an illustrative average price of £120 / MWh. Actual earnings depend on how often and how much a site can flex, and on market prices, which can increase or decrease over time.

** House of Commons report ‘Tackling the energy cost crisis’, carried out by the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee (p. 5).

***Energy Demand Research Centre ‘Clean Power 2030 – A reflection on energy demand following NESO's advice to government’.

‍About Octopus Energy Group

Octopus Energy is a global clean energy and technology business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting-edge energy products to 11 million households globally.

The company is driving the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative clean tech, with operations spanning 27 countries and the entire energy value chain. It operates a £8.5 billion renewables portfolio as well as thriving EV leasing, heat pump, and solar businesses.

Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide. For more information, check out our website.

About Voltus‍

Voltus is a leading DER technology platform and virtual power plant operator connecting distributed energy resources to electricity markets, delivering less expensive, more reliable, and more sustainable electricity. Through its Bring Your Own Capacity (BYOC)™ program, Voltus brings new flexible capacity to the grid. Voltus's commercial and industrial customers and DER partners generate value by allowing Voltus to maximize the value of their flexible load, distributed generation, energy storage, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle resources in these markets. To learn more, visit www.voltus.co.

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