Households across the UK may enjoy free electricity on certain days of the week, thanks to Ed Miliband’s green energy revolution, according to EDF Renewables.
Matthieu Hue, chief executive of EDF Renewables, revealed that increasing renewable energy capacity, particularly from wind and solar power, could lead to surplus energy supply, driving prices down and making free electricity possible.
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference, Hue suggested that Sundays, when electricity demand is typically lower, are the most likely days for free energy, particularly as more businesses are closed. He explained that smart meters will play a key role, allowing households to monitor and manage their energy usage in real-time.
Miliband, as Energy Secretary, has prioritised expanding renewable energy to help the UK achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. EDF plans to significantly expand its renewable energy sites, with aims to quadruple its current capacity of 2.5 GW by 2035.
Hue also highlighted how the shift to renewables could change household energy habits, especially with fluctuating electricity prices dependent on weather conditions. Households with electric vehicles, for instance, may use their cars to power their homes when energy prices peak.
EDF, which currently supplies 5.2 million domestic and business customers, has been impacted by rising debt levels among customers, with around 470,000 customers owing a collective £518 million.
Junior energy minister Michael Shanks, also speaking at the conference, noted that the rise in smart meter usage will enable consumers to adjust their energy use, reducing costs without drastically altering their lifestyles.
Shanks also addressed concerns about human rights abuses in the solar panel supply chain, following criticism from anti-slavery campaigners over alleged use of Uighur slave labour in Chinese solar farms. He confirmed plans to meet with industry leaders to discuss the issue next week.
