**Octopus Energy Unveils Innovative Tariff Promising Major Savings for Social Housing Tenants**
In a significant move within the UK energy sector, Octopus Energy has launched a pioneering tariff called “Tenant Power”, which targets tenants in social, affordable, and shared ownership housing. The new initiative could see eligible customers pocket up to £200 in annual savings, making energy bills more manageable while driving investment in renewable technology.
The Tenant Power tariff is specifically tailored for homes equipped with solar panels and advanced Octopus-optimised batteries. These installations enable occupants not only to consume cleaner, home-generated energy but also to benefit from advanced energy management solutions. Such measures are seen by industry observers as essential steps towards tackling fuel poverty and enhancing the sustainability of the country’s housing stock.
Savings under this tariff are dependent on key variables, including the capacity of the household’s battery and the amount of electricity generated by rooftop solar panels. Octopus representatives have illustrated that, in the best circumstances, households using Tenant Power could noticeably reduce their energy outgoings against what they would typically face under the firm’s standard variable tariff.
Beyond the direct financial benefits for residents, the Tenant Power offering presents a compelling proposition for social housing landlords, including local authorities and housing associations. Landlords are now able to sell surplus energy—produced but not consumed by tenants during peak solar periods—back to the National Grid. This creates a potential new revenue stream, which Octopus Energy suggests could be reinvested in additional energy-saving measures or further expansion of renewable infrastructure across social housing estates.
Octopus Energy describes this development as a “win-win” scheme, delivering tangible advantages to both tenants and landlords. The firm is calling on housing associations, local councils, and other stakeholders to embrace the new approach, arguing that it breaks down longstanding barriers to the widespread rollout of low-carbon, affordable homes. This sentiment was echoed by Nigel Banks, director for Zero Bills at Octopus, who remarked that the lack of landlord incentives had previously slowed progress in green housing.
Banks stated: “With Tenant Power, we are removing a critical hurdle for landlords considering investment in low-carbon technologies, while ensuring that tenants experience meaningful savings.” He further emphasised that such collaborative models are necessary for boosting the uptake of renewable energy and ensuring that the UK meets both its environmental targets and its responsibility to support communities most vulnerable to rising living costs.
From an operational perspective, the tariff is designed to maximise the use of onsite green energy. During daylight hours, solar panels generate electricity, with any surplus channeled into the Octopus-optimised battery for later use. Once the battery is full and the household’s immediate consumption is satisfied, excess power is exported to the grid—contributing to national energy balancing efforts. Landlords benefit financially from this export, providing an ongoing incentive to support and scale up renewable efforts.
Industry experts suggest that the Tenant Power tariff could serve as a blueprint for future collaborations between energy companies and the social housing sector. The dual benefit model—where both residents and property owners are incentivised—represents a significant departure from traditional energy tariffs.
In summary, the launch of Tenant Power by Octopus Energy signals a promising chapter in the evolution of affordable renewable energy for the UK’s social housing sector. As energy prices and environmental pressures continue to shape policy and expenditure, programmes like this one will likely play a vital role in shaping a fairer, greener future for households and communities nationwide.