In a landmark move for sustainable and affordable living, Octopus Energy and Barratt Redrow, the UK's largest housebuilder, have announced a pioneering partnership. Together, they will deliver the country's first wave of homes with completely eliminated energy costs for residents.
The Zero Bills Initiative: How It Works
The collaboration will see 54 households across two flagship developments receive zero energy bills for a decade. The selected sites are in Wixams, Bedfordshire, and Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The first of these revolutionary homes are scheduled for completion in 2026.
This initiative is made possible by integrating Octopus Energy's innovative smart technology with Barratt Redrow's highly energy-efficient home designs. The properties will come equipped with solar panels, heat pumps, and EV chargers as standard. Octopus's bespoke tariff then manages the energy generated and consumed, effectively reducing the household's bill to nothing.
Official Statements on a Sustainable Future
Nigel Banks, Zero Bills Director at Octopus Energy, highlighted the significance of scaling up the project. "We are now able to showcase what can be achieved with Zero Bills at scale in new housing developments," he said. "Eliminating home energy bills with our game-changing tariff is now a simple, viable and cost-effective upgrade."
Oliver Novakovic, Technical & Innovation Director at Barratt Redrow, emphasised the dual benefit for homeowners. "We're helping buyers to cut their energy costs to zero whilst also lowering their carbon footprint," he stated. "This initiative shows how innovation in housebuilding and energy can work hand-in-hand to create homes that are not only more sustainable, but also more affordable for the long term."
Important Details and Future Expansion
It is important for potential residents to note that while domestic energy use is covered, electric vehicle (EV) charging will be billed separately at Octopus's Intelligent Octopus Go rate. The Zero Bills offer also comes with fair usage limits, terms, and exclusions.
This initial rollout of 54 homes is just the beginning. Both companies have confirmed they are already actively exploring further potential Zero Bills sites across the UK, signalling a strong commitment to expanding this model of bill-free, sustainable living to more communities.
