Octopus and National Grid agreement speeds up low carbon tech installations

Octopus Energy and National Grid have introduced a new process to speed up the installation low carbon technologies, such electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps and domestic batteries.

The additional power required by these devices can mean that the fuse on the incoming electricity supply would need to be upgraded by the local distribution network operator.

Under the new agreement Octopus Energy engineers will be permitted to undertake the necessary upgrade, removing a step in the process that could add up to 10 weeks to the installation time.

Cordi O’Hara, President of National Grid Electricity Distribution, said that “over the last five years we’ve seen the number of electric vehicle chargers installed on our network increase by eight times, and the number of heat pumps triple. These new changes to the fuse upgrade process are part of our commitment to make it easier for customers to connect low carbon technologies.”

Alex Schoch, Head of Flexibility at Octopus Energy added “Octopus has proven that by working together, DNOs and installers can bring EVs, heat pumps and solar into homes faster and cheaper, turbocharging the UK’s move to an electrified future.

“By upgrading fuses alongside clean tech installations, we are not only saving our own resources, but also giving our customers back valuable time. It’s a win-win that highlights how critical collaboration is on our path to net zero.”