Octopus Energy, the UK's largest energy supplier, has unveiled what it calls a "groundbreaking" new smart tariff designed to slash energy costs for social housing residents by as much as £200 a year.
The innovative scheme, named 'Tenant Power', is being rolled out in partnership with the Together Housing Group and is described as Britain's first smart energy tariff created specifically for the social housing sector.
How the Tenant Power Scheme Works
The initiative will initially apply to 1,500 homes across the north of England. The core of the scheme involves fitting participating properties with eco-friendly technology, including solar panels and battery storage systems.
This setup allows tenants to generate their own renewable electricity. Any surplus power that is not used in the home is automatically sold back to the National Grid, creating a revenue stream that funds the project and delivers savings.
Nigel Banks, Zero Bills Director at Octopus Energy, explained the dual benefit: "We can effectively sell the excess energy back to the grid, enabling us to pay the landlord a return for the tech, as well as deliver the savings for the tenant."
Fixed Savings and Community Impact
A key advantage highlighted by Octopus is that the discount offered to tenants is fixed for the entire year. This means that even during the winter months, when energy consumption and bills are typically at their highest, residents continue to benefit from the reduced rates.
"The great thing about Tenant Power is that the discount is fixed for the tenant all year round," Mr Banks confirmed.
Patrick Berry, Executive Director of Property at Together Housing Group, stated: "We are committed to improving the lives of our residents and strengthening the communities we serve."
The scheme has also garnered support from local leadership. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, commented: "By making homes warmer to live in and cheaper to run, we'll put more money in people's pockets and create a fairer, greener region."
Customer Experience and Installation Costs
Early feedback from participants has been positive. Richard, a Tenant Power customer from Halifax, said: "I love that my bills are lower thanks to Octopus' initiatives... It's a bonus knowing I'm making the most of the sunshine with solar panels, and doing something good for the planet too."
For context on the technology's value, Octopus provided indicative installation costs for private homeowners. As of January 2026, a basic solar panel installation starts from £6,163 for two panels. A more comprehensive system with eight panels and a 5kWh battery ranges from £8,123 to £9,691, depending on the battery type.
Nigel Banks positioned Tenant Power as a unique solution: "Tenant Power is the UK's only practical solution that ensures both tenants and landlords share in the benefits of low carbon technology."
