The smart tariff updates prices every 30 minutes to match real-time energy rates, so businesses benefit from times when energy it’s cheapest and greenest.

Customers on the Shape Shifters: Agile tariff can access the next day’s prices through a dedicated portal, allowing them to plan ahead and adapt their energy usage to snap up maximum savings.

Dry cleaners, bakeries, breweries: many SMEs already use energy off-peak, when it’s greenest and cheapest, and would automatically save on the tariff without lifting a finger.

By shifting energy usage out of peak hours (typically 4-7 pm), Shape Shifter: Agile customers can unlock even bigger savings of over 25% and pocket thousands of pounds per year.

And those already scheduling energy-hungry tasks off-peak can go further by pairing cheap electricity with smart clean tech like EVs, heat pumps, or on-site batteries to scoop up super cheap power.

This comes as soaring energy prices continue to put a strain on businesses, with more than a quarter (27%) stating they are struggling due to high costs.**

Shape Shifters: Agile builds on the success of its sister tariff ‘Shape Shifters: Trio’ – offering three sets of pricing for night, day and peak. Trio has helped some businesses shift up to 98% of their peak usage into cheaper hours, proving SMEs are ready to flex for smarter savings.

With a predominantly SME business customer base, this marks the latest way Octopus is integrating more time-of-use elements to reward small businesses using energy outside peak times.

Zoisa North-Bond, CEO of Octopus Energy for Business, said: “Many businesses are struggling with energy costs and are keen to use energy outside peak times to save money. Octopus has pioneered smart tariffs for years, and we’re proud to unlock even more opportunities for them through Shape Shifters Agile to tap into the greenest, cheapest power available.”

Parmjit, Owner of Chip Shop ‘Milton Chippy’ in Stoke-On-Trent, has been able to trial the tariff and said: “Shape Shifters Agile has been a real boost for us at Milton Chippy! By shifting prep times and being smarter about what we switch on and when, we’ve already saved hundreds of pounds.

“It's super simple and keeps the deep fryers running without frying our budget. We’re proud to be part of a programme that helps our business thrive while supporting a greener future. Hats off to Octopus!”

Octopus’s business customers have also helped balance the grid during peak times through its ‘Saving Sessions’ scheme. Across 2023-2024, thousands of Octopus business customers took part, shifting over 20% of their usage. 

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