Why do Octopus Agile prices go negative?
Great Britain now has so much wind and solar capacity that, on blustery nights or bright, mild afternoons, generation can outstrip demand. Wind farms receive subsidies per MWh generated, so some keep running even when the wholesale price drops below zero — and the day-ahead auction clears at a negative price. Because Agile has no price floor, those negative wholesale prices flow straight through to your unit rate: you get paid for every kWh you use.
How to prepare for plunge pricing
- EVs: set your charger or car app to start at the first plunge slot and stop when prices rise.
- Home and portable batteries: charge to 100% during the plunge, then discharge through the 4–7pm peak.
- Immersion heaters: a 3kW immersion running for an hour at -5p/kWh earns you 15p and gives you a tank of hot water.
- Appliances: delay-start the washing machine, dishwasher and tumble dryer, or use an energy-monitoring smart plug.
Plunge pricing FAQ
What is Octopus Plunge Pricing and how do I get paid to use electricity?
Plunge pricing happens when strong wind or solar generation meets low demand and wholesale prices go negative. On Agile, the unit rate for those half-hours drops to 0p or below, so you are credited for every kWh you use. Charging an EV or home battery, heating your hot water tank or running the washing machine during a plunge slot earns you money. AgileWatch shows an electric-blue alert whenever a slot today or tomorrow is at or below 0p/kWh.
How often does Octopus Agile go negative?
Negative Agile prices are most common on windy nights, sunny spring and summer afternoons, and holiday weekends when demand is low. Some months see several plunge days, others none. Subscribe to alerts so you never miss one.
Do I need a battery to benefit from plunge pricing?
No. Anything you can switch on during the plunge slot earns you money — an EV charger, immersion heater, washing machine, dishwasher or tumble dryer. A home or portable battery simply lets you store the free energy for the evening peak.
What time do Octopus Agile rates for tomorrow get published?
Every afternoon between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM UK time. Octopus converts the results of the day-ahead wholesale electricity auction (which clears around 3:00 PM UK time) into tomorrow's 48 half-hourly Agile prices. AgileWatch UK shows a live countdown to 4:00 PM and switches to tomorrow's rates automatically as soon as they appear.
Octopus Agile prices in every UK region
- A Eastern England Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge
- B East Midlands Nottingham, Leicester, Derby
- C London Greater London, Central London, Westminster
- D Merseyside & Northern Wales Liverpool, Chester, Wrexham
- E West Midlands Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton
- F North Eastern England Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough
- G North Western England Manchester, Preston, Blackpool
- H Southern England Southampton, Portsmouth, Reading
- J South Eastern England Brighton, Canterbury, Guildford
- K Southern Wales Cardiff, Swansea, Newport
- L South Western England Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth
- M Yorkshire Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford
- N Southern Scotland Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling
- P Northern Scotland Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness