British households and firms cut enough energy use at peak times to power 10m homes

Payments were given in scheme to reduce electricity consumption during high demand to help avoid winter blackouts

Households and businesses in Great Britain saved enough electricity over the winter to power 10m homes by reducing their energy use during peak demand hours to help the country avoid blackouts.

About 1.6m households and businesses received payments to help reduce the pressure on the National Grid during the winter months as part of a demand flexibility scheme run by its electricity system operator (ESO).