E.ON Next and Northern Powergrid launch joint initiative to help lower electricity bills

E.ON Next and Northern Powergrid have launched a new partnership, which could help to lower energy customers’ monthly electricity bills by up to 15%.

The pilot, which launches in June 2025, will initially be open to one hundred households in Crowle, northern Lincolnshire, and Starbeck, North Yorkshire, and E.ON Next is inviting people to take part in the scheme now.

With the help of free batteries from E.ON Next, and Northern Powergrid’s new flexibility services product, households will be able to store electricity during cheaper times of the day (typically between 10pm and 8am) and use it at peak times (typically between 5pm and 8pm) supporting the grid and lowering their own bills.

The batteries will be used alongside home insulation, which is also being provided free of charge through the trial, to increase the energy efficiency of participants home heating and maximise the value the batteries deliver. This offers customers lower energy costs and provides the grid with more stable demand. The trial will begin in two areas by November 2025, lasting between one and four years, with plans to expand if successful.

Paul Glendinning, Director of Energy Systems, Northern Powergrid, said: “We are dedicated to ensuring that low carbon technologies and the benefits of net zero are within reach for all our customers.

“We have developed a new innovative flexibility services product that combines energy efficiency measures with active flexibility services and, through our ongoing collaboration with E.ON Next, are able to trial this exciting product in Crowle and Starbeck.

“This initiative, which includes the installation and operation of domestic batteries offers a sustainable solution to network challenges.

“Together with E.ON Next, we are committed to creating a more efficient and affordable energy future for everyone."

Customers participating in the pilot will incur no upfront costs and will benefit from E.ON Next's dedicated support throughout the process. Residents of Crowle and Starbeck are invited to apply to participate in the trial by contacting hi@eonnext.com, including “NPg battery” in the subject heading.

Ramona Vlasiu, Chief Operating Officer, E.ON Next, said: “Batteries are becoming an invaluable solution for customers looking to lower their energy bills and take control of their energy use, and we’re inviting households to apply to take part in our pilot.

“It is important that we find new ways to make these solutions available to the people who need them most, which is why we’ve partnered with Northern Powergrid to make batteries available to households in Crowle and Starbeck, where fuel poverty levels sit at around 6% and 12% respectively.

“Households have an important role to play in the UK’s transition to net zero, and through batteries and other solutions, we can also help to lower demand on the grid.”

Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, said: “We need to explore as many ways as possible to put more money back into resident’s pockets. Energy is one of the biggest expenses for a family.

“This pilot is an opportunity to help reduce power costs, but in doing so explore new sustainable energy sources for the future.

“It’s really great that Northern Powergrid and E.ON Next have chosen an area of my constituency to roll out this new initiative.”

The pilot highlights the collaborative efforts between an energy provider and a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to deliver meaningful benefits to customers and builds on E.ON Next’s Coventry battery trial, which provided free batteries and insulation to customers across Coventry. If successful, E.ON Next hopes to extend the programme further.