MORE FREE ENERGY: Octopus extends ‘Happy Hours’ through winter following massive customer demand
Energy pioneer extends free electricity scheme to February 2027
Customers have already bagged over 8 million free hours, worth over £1.7 million
Customers rate the scheme 8/10 on average, with half (47%) giving it a perfect 10/10 and almost all (87%) planning to take part again
New token system to reward weekday reduction at peak time, with varied free power slots at the weekend, now including occasional Saturdays
London, 27th October 2026 – Millions of Octopus Energy customers can keep bagging free electricity all winter, as the energy giant has today announced it is extending its popular weekend scheme ‘Happy Hours’ right through to Valentine’s Day.
The scheme rewards eligible customers with free power on the weekend if they use less power during two one-hour sessions in the week.
Nearly 800,000 households took part when it launched during this summer’s eclipse. Since then, Octopus has handed out more than 8 million hours of free power to customers, worth over £1.7 million.
The scheme is getting an upgrade, now also offering Saturday sessions and more flexibility.
Every time a household successfully takes part in a weekday Saving Session, they earn a token. These tokens can be exchanged for free energy hours over the weekend, typically at a ratio of two tokens per free hour.*
Existing participants are encouraged to use up to two banked hours before Sunday 1 November, after which any remaining balance will automatically roll over and convert into tokens for the winter season.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Customer Officer at Octopus Energy, commented: "Our customers spoke, and we listened. The response to our Happy Hours has been phenomenal, so extending them through the cold winter months was a no-brainer.
“Whether you're roasting a Sunday lunch, carving Halloween pumpkins, or powering up Christmas lights, we’re keeping the green energy flowing and helping households keep their bills down."
Weekend Happy Hours began on 20th August, and is the latest initiative from Octopus’ popular Octoplus rewards programme. Almost 3 million households have already joined Octoplus, with customers claiming £19 million worth of rewards and freebies last year.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
To take part in Happy Hours, customers need to:
Pay by Direct Debit or prepay
Have a working electricity smart meter
Be an Octoplus member (Octopus’ free rewards programme)
Be signed up to Saving Sessions (Octopus’ initiative that rewards Octoplus members for helping to balance the grid)
How to earn the reward: Customers will earn 1 token for every successful Saving Session during the week - typically, 2 tokens will unlock a free hour of electricity at the weekend.
How to use the reward: Customers can choose from a selection of 1-hour slots on the weekend for their Happy Hour. Customers can alternatively choose to save their free electricity hours and use them at a later date (up until 14th February 2027).
Availability: Happy Hours will run until 14th February 2027.
*To keep free power viable over winter, token requirements will change flexibly depending on wholesale market conditions, and as a last resort some weekends may not have a dedicated Happy Hour, but in those cases tokens will always rollover
Full T&Cs can be found here.
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About Octopus Energy
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 £7 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.