Octopus Energy tells customers to reduce electricity use during the solar eclipse, asking them to avoid running high-energy appliances between 6pm and 8pm on Wednesday. The company specifically advises customers not to use washing machines and dishwashers during that two-hour window.
Octopus says the eclipse will significantly reduce solar power generation, with the moon expected to block up to 95% of the sun over parts of Britain. The Daily Mail and The Guardian both report the same 6pm–8pm guidance and focus on delaying household devices such as dishwashers and washing machines. Both outlets also link the request to the expected drop in electricity supply from solar generation during the eclipse.
The reports differ mainly in emphasis: The Guardian frames the message as advice to “use less electricity” during the deepest eclipse in almost 30 years, while the Daily Mail highlights the steep fall in solar power output. Neither outlet disputes the timing or the core appliance recommendations, and both present the guidance as voluntary customer support ahead of the eclipse.
Key points the outlets agree on are that Octopus Energy is issuing customer instructions for Wednesday evening and that the guidance targets reduced electricity demand while solar generation is expected to fall.
