FREE POWER EVERY WEEKEND: Octopus launches ‘Happy Hours’ after nearly 800,000 customers power down during eclipse
Octopus customers can get an hour of FREE electricity every weekend – simply by using less during the week
Customers just need to take part in TWO one-hour Power Down sessions during the week to bag the FREE WEEKEND POWER
The new ‘Happy Hours’ scheme follows huge demand for Octopus’ ‘Eclipse Power Down’, which saw a record-breaking 794,000 customers take part
Customers who cut their electricity use during the eclipse were rewarded with one hour of FREE POWER – and used 650MWh, enough to power a city double the size of Birmingham for an hour
London, 20th August 2026 – The weekend just got a little brighter for Octopus Energy customers, with Octoplus households now able to earn an hour of FREE ELECTRICITY every weekend.
Following an overwhelming response to Octopus’ Eclipse Power Down session last week, Octopus is launching ‘Weekend Happy Hours’, rewarding eligible customers (more details below) with free power on the weekend if they use less power during two one-hour sessions in the week.*
Taking part is easy. Customers just need to use less power during the sessions by simply shifting everyday jobs – such as running the washing machine, putting the dishwasher on, or charging the car – to another time.
In return, they will get one hour of free electricity at the weekend as a reward, allowing households to benefit from doing their bit to reduce the pressure on the grid during peak times.
The new ‘Weekend Happy Hours’ scheme follows huge demand for Octopus’ Eclipse Power Down, which saw a record-breaking 794,000 customers take part.
The special session rewarded households for reducing their electricity use during last Wednesday’s eclipse which knocked out 4% - around 1GW - of Britain’s solar generation during the evening peak, equivalent to a large power station.
As a reward for turning down during the eclipse, customers were rewarded with free electricity for an hour – using 650MWh, enough to power a city double the size of Birmingham for an hour.
Now, customers can earn free electricity every week until the end of October 2026 with Octopus’ ‘Weekend Happy Hours’.
Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Customer Officer at Octopus Energy, said: “Nearly a million Octopus customers switched off, enjoyed the skies AND earned free electricity during the eclipse. And we’re keeping good times flowing with the launch of Weekend Happy Hours - till the end of October, use less for two hours during the week and get one whole hour of power free every weekend.”
‘Weekend Happy Hours’ 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 Weekend 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 who use less electricity than usual during 2 x 1-hour sessions in the week will earn 1 hour of free 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 October 31st 2026).
Availability: Weekend Happy Hour will run until October 31st 2026.
Full T&Cs can be found here.
Press Contacts
Octopus Energy Group
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+44 (0)20 4530 8369
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.