Pink Pony... Plug? Octopus brings unicorn and Jason Manford to its one-millionth smart meter installation this year

• Octopus hits 1 million smart meter installs in a single year for the first time
• 3 in 4 Octopus customers now have a smart meter, unlocking cheaper, greener energy
• Smart tariffs and smart initiatives save Octopus customers £200m per year on their energy bills. 
• Manchester customer surprised with unicorn, a brass band, and local legend Jason Manford

Manchester, 17th December 2025 – Octopus Energy has installed its one-millionth smart meter of the year – a company first and a major milestone in the shift to a smarter, cheaper, cleaner energy system. 

The milestone installation took place at the home of Martin Browne, 50, from Manchester, who was greeted with an Octopus-style celebration: a unicorn, a brass band, balloons, confetti cannons, and a surprise visit from local legend Jason Manford, who helped welcome the newest smart meter to the family.

Smart adoption has surged, with 74% of Octopus homes now powered by smart meters. This year alone, two-thirds of installations were brand-new meters for customers actively choosing to go smart, while the remainder replaced older or inherited devices to keep homes running smoothly. 

Behind the scenes, Octopus engineers also restored or remotely fixed almost 100,000 meters, helping customers avoid unnecessary replacements and saving time and money in the long run.

Smart meters are the foundation of a modern energy system. Thanks to the real-time data they provide, over 800,000 Octopus customers now use smart tariffs like Agile, Cosy, Snug and Intelligent Octopus Go to shift their usage to cheaper times and cut bills. 

Flexibility is becoming increasingly important for the energy system, as it allows consumers to soak up green energy when it’s abundant. Smart tariffs – powered by smart meters – already reduce system costs, cut carbon and help put money back into people’s pockets. Smart tariffs and flexibility initiatives save Octopus customers more than £200 million a year.

Meanwhile, 3.5 million Octopus customers regularly engage with their smart meters through Octoplus, taking part in Saving Sessions, earning rewards, and picking up perks – including the occasional free coffee.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy: “Smart meters aren’t just little boxes on the wall – they’re the key to cheaper bills, cleaner energy and a grid that works for everyone. 

“Hitting a million installs this year shows just how much customers want to take control of their energy, and we’re over the moon to help them do it. If that milestone also means surprising someone in Manchester with a unicorn and Jason Manford, what more can we say!”

ENDS

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Octopus Energy Group

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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 10 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.