Households may receive complimentary plug-in batteries to help reduce energy expenses as part of various potential initiatives being considered by the Government.
Plug-in batteries function similarly to power banks by allowing users to store excess electricity. The concept involves storing power during periods of low demand, when prices are cheaper, and utilizing this stored energy during peak pricing times.
Typically, energy costs are highest on weekday evenings when household power usage is at its peak. These plug-in batteries can be connected to a standard wall socket to store and release energy back into the power grid.
Available in various sizes, from compact units resembling a microwave or printer to larger ones comparable in size to a washing machine, these batteries come with a starting price of around £500.
According to the i Paper, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has proposed a plan where the Government would purchase plug-in batteries for low-income households.
Among the options considered under the former energy secretary Ed Miliband’s Warm Homes Plan, plug-in batteries were highlighted as an appealing choice due to their easy deployment. However, a final decision rests with the new Energy Secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh.
Current regulations do not permit plug-in batteries as devices transmitting power back to the grid must be connected on a dedicated circuit. Therefore, DESNZ would need to conduct a safety assessment and update regulations before any potential rollout can be approved.
DESNZ has confirmed that their focus is on introducing plug-in solar panels, legally available starting August 27, 2026. Government estimates suggest that these panels could save an average UK household between £70 to £110 annually on energy bills.
The Energy Secretary’s priority is to reduce energy costs permanently, with initiatives like the VAT reduction on electricity and the rapid introduction of plug-in solar panels to the market.
Households in England or Wales looking to switch their current heating systems to heat pumps or biomass boilers can benefit from a £7,500 grant. Low-income households with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating from D to G may qualify for a home upgrade grant to enhance energy efficiency through insulation, heat pumps, and solar panel installations.