AUDIO (Slow)

AUDIO (Normal)

UK could get free electricity on sunny weekends

People in the UK could get discounted or even free electricity this summer. This is because energy companies may have too much energy. They do not want to waste it. In summer, people use less electricity because they turn on lights less. There is also more energy coming from solar panels. Power companies say that on sunny days, "weather conditions result in excess supply". This means electricity companies could allow houses and businesses to use electricity for free on sunny weekends. Energy suppliers say households could use appliances like washing machines or dishwashers and charge electric vehicles at no cost during periods of excess supply.

The idea for discounted or free power came from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Its website says it is "responsible for planning and delivering the energy of today and the future". The operator also says it will "deliver what is needed to reach a zero-carbon future". A NESO spokeswoman explained the benefits of the new idea. She said it would "not only reward consumers and businesses for flexible electricity use," but also make Great Britain's electricity network stronger and more efficient. A spokesman from National Gas believes there could be free summer power even with the war in the Middle East. He said: "The market has the capacity to deliver sufficient supply."

-

Chat

Talk about these words from the article.

the UK / electricity / summer / energy companies / lights / weather / sunny weekends / discounted / free power / planning / the future / zero-carbon / the Middle East 

-

Discussion

1) What do you think about what you read?

2) What kinds of energy will we use in the future?

3) What is your country doing to reach carbonzero?

4) How is the war in the Middle East affecting you?

5) What do you think of gas prices rising?

6) How much of your country's energy comes from renewables?

7) What will happen in the Middle East in the next 10 years?

8) What questions would you like to ask the electricity companies?