A British energy provider is distributing complimentary electricity during this week’s solar eclipse.

Octopus Energy is providing the incentive through a scheme connected to Wednesday’s astronomical event on 12 August.

That date will represent Britain’s most complete solar eclipse for the next 54 years, with more than 90% of the sun expected to be blocked by the moon.

The offer applies to customers who lower their consumption between 6pm and 8pm, when the eclipse will be at its maximum and solar generation will decrease.

In a statement, the company’s chief customer officer explained that many people would be looking skyward on Wednesday evening to witness this exceptional occurrence. She noted that as sunlight diminishes, Britain’s solar power generation would also decrease, precisely when electricity demand tends to peak. By postponing routine chores like laundry or dishes until later, households could help minimise the requirement for gas-fired power stations while earning incentives for their contribution.

Those enrolled in the company’s loyalty programme and its energy-saving sessions will be eligible. Participants who consume less during the two-hour window will receive one hour of complimentary electricity on Sunday 16 August.

The company is also running a competition offering either complimentary solar panel installation or £12,000 in cash. To enter, participants must share a photograph on Instagram, Facebook, X, or Bluesky depicting what they did during the eclipse rather than staying indoors, tag the company’s account, and include in their post.

Safety warnings accompany the event. Anyone planning to observe an eclipse must never look directly at the sun without certified eclipse glasses or appropriate solar filters, even when most of the sun is covered.

Government guidance confirms that standard sunglasses, regardless of darkness, do not offer sufficient protection for eclipse viewing. They diminish glare, potentially encouraging longer sun gazing while still permitting damaging solar radiation to reach the retina. The advice warns against using regular sunglasses to observe the sun during an eclipse.