Powerless in a Land of Plenty
Call to action for Government to divert surplus energy to homes in fuel poverty
The UK is not moving fast enough to reduce energy poverty. It faces three interconnected crises: households struggling to afford heating and electricity; an energy system on the brink; and the waste of renewable power. According to National Energy Action, over 6 million households are stuck in fuel poverty, enduring inadequate living conditions and unmet energy needs. Yet Britain squanders £180,000 an hour shutting down wind farms when the grid is congested, only to pay gas plants to fire up instead. That waste of 9.8 billion kWh, had an approximate retail value of over £2.5 billion in 2025.
On paper, the UK’s use of renewables appears strong, accounting for a record 50.8% of electricity in 2024, a milestone in the energy transition. The recent announcement of the Warm Homes Plan is an important commitment from the government. However, for many households, the promised benefits of this progress have not materialised. Fuel Poverty Action warns that instead of cutting bills, the savings are lining the pockets of corporations. Add in the clean energy that’s still going to waste, and the picture reveals an increasingly unjust transition.
At EnergyCloud, we see first hand how clean electricity, used intelligently, can deliver immediate social benefit. The Warm Homes Plan’s emphasis on electrification, energy efficiency, and smarter use of power aligns strongly with the EnergyCloud mission of ensuring surplus renewable energy helps those who need it most. EnergyCloud looks forward to working with policymakers, local authorities, network operators and delivery partners to ensure the Warm Homes Plan translates into real, measurable relief for households in fuel poverty, while strengthening the resilience of the energy system as a whole.
Fuel poverty continues to hit low-income families and older people the hardest, causing one in ten excess winter deaths and draining billions from the NHS in avoidable care. The Government’s main support programs, such as the Warm Homes Plan, Warm Homes Discounts, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments, don’t go far enough. What’s the solution? Access to the renewable energy currently being wasted, delivered directly to those who need it most, at no cost to them.
EnergyCloud is already making this a reality using smart technology, providing hot water and or heat to families in energy poverty. This proves that excess energy doesn’t have to be lost; it can be redirected to improve lives. The solution is proven and scalable, but to implement it at a wider-scale in the UK, government backing is essential.
The future of the UK’s energy system depends on innovative partnerships. We look forward to engaging with Government, housing associations, and charities, to work together to use smart technology to turn wasted energy into free hot water for families in need. Join us in putting the UK at the forefront of a fair energy future, where clean power is within reach for every vulnerable household.
Sources:
Britain paying £180,000 an hour to switch off wind farms, The Telegraph
Wasted wind ticker, Octopus Energy
Renewable energy stats press release, RenewableUK
Free energy isn’t a utopian dream – it’s possible now, Fuel Poverty Action
Fuel poverty, cold homes and health inequalities in the UK, Institute of Health Equity
Free hot water project to help with fuel poverty, BBC News