Octopus Energy steps up support for customers this winter as price cap rises

• Ofgem confirm price cap will rise this October – higher than winter last year
• Octopus now providing over £1m of direct financial support every month through its Octo Assist Fund
• Octopus is also subsidising up to 1,000 ECO scheme upgrades,- free solar and heat pumps for vulnerable households

London, 27th August 2025 – With Ofgem confirming that the October energy price cap will rise 2% – equivalent to £35 added to the average annual bill – Octopus Energy is ramping up support for customers this winter.

ONS data analysis shows that groceries and energy now take a fifth (20%) of the median household's disposable income every year, up from 15% in 2018. Combined with prices rising higher than last Winter, now more than ever customers need to be aware of the support available to them.

Through its Octo Assist Fund, Octopus is now delivering more than £1 million in help every single month, offering tailored support such as bill credits, standing charge holidays, debt write-offs, and free energy-saving tools.

Since its launch during the energy crisis, the fund has already provided over £30 million to more than 80,000 households.

In addition, Octopus is calling on customers to help spread the word about the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, which offers solar panels and heat pumps to eligible households. Octopus is committing to install kit in up to 1,000 homes, entirely for free.

And even if someone isn’t an Octopus customer, they could still qualify – and Octopus will manage the entire process, from eligibility checks to installation and aftercare.

Households may qualify if they:

• Receive government support such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit
• Live in a home built between 1980–2022
• Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or below

Under the current cap, up to 1,000 properties can benefit. Importantly, when more households take up the ECO scheme, the costs spread across the system fall – meaning bills go down for everyone.

Eligible households can check ECO scheme eligibility in just five minutes using Octopus’s online tool.

Rebecca Dibb-Simkin, Chief Product Officer at Octopus Energy, said:

“We know this winter will be tough, with bills stubbornly high. Octopus are boosting our own support and urging people to help friends and family take advantage of home upgrades under the ECO scheme - we’re committing to upgrade 1,000 homes, entirely for free.”

Examples of Octopus support include:

• Energy bill credits – direct financial support for households in crisis, often within 48 hours
• Standing charge holidays – up to six months with no standing charges for vulnerable customers
• Debt relief and debt matching schemes
• Free tools like heat loss cameras and electric blankets,
• Energy flexibility schemes like Free Electricity and Saving Sessions – with £10.5m paid out so far
  

Customers struggling with bills are urged to reach out now via https://octopus.energy/blog/octo-assist/.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Press Contacts

Octopus Energy Group

press@octoenergy.com

+44 (0)20 4530 8369

About Octopus Energy Group

Octopus Energy is a global clean energy tech 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 9 million households globally. Its operations span 32 countries and the entire energy value chain. The group invests in, builds and flexibly manages renewable energy, operating a £7 billion portfolio of projects.

Octopus has licensed its advanced data and machine learning platform, Kraken, to support over 70 million customer accounts worldwide through licensing deals with companies such as EDF, E.ON and Origin Energy. Kraken enables Octopus to drive the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative cleantech. 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.