Octopus Energy, the UK’s largest energy supplier, has partnered with United Welsh to bring its groundbreaking Tenant Power tariff to social homes in Wales.
Tenant Power is the UK’s first green energy tariff where both social housing landlords and tenants share the financial rewards of smart energy tech.
Buildings equipped with solar panels and a compatible battery system can generate their own renewable energy. Any excess energy is stored in the battery and automatically sold back to the grid at peak times, helping to balance the grid and provide a return for landlords.
The result: tenants see their electricity unit rate bills fall by 30% – saving around £200 a year – compared to a standard variable tariff, while landlords earn revenue, making clean tech upgrades a smart long-term investment. Adding a heat pump into the mix could help Tenant Power tenants save even more on their energy bills.
This win-win model removes one of the main barriers to green investment in social housing, paving the way for cleaner, fairer and cheaper energy for all.
United Welsh is leading the way as the first housing association in Wales to roll out the pioneering tariff. The first phase covers four homes, with installations already finished and the first tenants live on Tenant Power.
The news comes as interest in low carbon tech surges, with households looking to escape energy market volatility driven by the Middle East conflict. Data from Octopus Energy shows heat pump sales up 103%, solar panel sales up 78%, and EV charger enquiries up 42%, as more Brits try to boost their energy independence.
Octopus Energy aims to have 10,000 homes committed to Tenant Power by the end of 2026.
Nigel Banks, Zero Bills Director at Octopus Energy, said: “Solar panels and batteries should be a no‑brainer for social housing – but until now the economics haven’t worked well enough.
“Tenant Power solves this by cutting tenants’ bills while giving social housing landlords a return for investing in green tech.
“By partnering with United Welsh, we’re delivering more affordable, greener living to social homes in Wales, making a real impact on communities and people’s pockets.”
Richard Mann, Group Chief Executive at United Welsh, said: “At United Welsh, we are committed to providing high-quality homes and supporting residents with the cost of living. Investing in low carbon technologies like solar panels and batteries helps residents to lower their energy bills in the long-term, while supporting the drive towards decarbonisation.
“In the last four years, supported by the Welsh Government’s Optimised Retrofit Programme, we have invested over £14 million to improve the energy efficiency of our homes through measures such as new insulation, efficient heating systems and renewable energy installations.
“Initiatives such as the Tenant Power tariff are an innovative way to fund more property upgrade work while residents benefit from lower bills.”
Richard, Tenant Power customer from Halifax, said: “I love that my bills are lower thanks to Octopus’ initiatives – the process was quick and easy and it really makes a huge difference.
“It’s a bonus knowing I’m making the most of the sunshine with solar panels, and doing something good for the planet too.”
More information on Tenant Power and how to sign up can be found here.
