Households could routinely be asked to use less electricity at peak times as part of the shift to net zero.
Families will today be paid to cut electricity usage at tea-time for a second day in a row as a cold snap forces the National Grid to activate emergency measures to manage supply and demand.
The Telegraph says that the so-called demand-flexibility service was set up as an extraordinary response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which triggered upheaval in the gas market,
But the National Grid and industry regulator Ofgem are now suggesting the scheme or others like it would not be abandoned even as prices begin to normalise.
Jonathan Brearley, CEO of Ofgem, said in a speech yesterday: "In the longer term, retailers will need to play a more fundamental role in decarbonisation and in the energy transition.
"They will be on the front line of persuading customers to install the equipment needed to vary our energy usage where possible to match with times when demand is low and/or supply is high."
Long-term shift
Craig Dyke, head of national control at National Grid, said it "strongly believes" in a long-term shift towards flexible energy usage, which typically involves people being incentivised to use less at peak times.
He said "As we take that step whereby people are far more engaged in the energy they use, and as we drive towards that net-zero position with people moving to electric vehicles and taking up heat pumps, for example, consumer engagement around this is key.
"It provides that additional flexibility - not just for the system, but for all consumers."
National Grid spent around £1.3million on Monday to encourage households to cut electricity usage between 5pm and 6pm, after forecasts on Sunday suggested there would be low generation from wind and high demand.
Those who have agreed to take part in the demand-flexibility service will again be offered payments today between 4.30pm and 6pm.
National Grid has activated the programme for a second day in a row in an effort to help keep the lights on amid forecasts of a cold, still day.
Back-up power
It has also instructed three coal-fired units to be ready to supply back-up power this afternoon if needed.
Coal plants had been warmed up on Sunday to provide back-up supplies on Monday, but were stood-down overnight after initial forecasts turned out to be too pessimistic.
The coal units were due to shut last September as part of the push to phase out coal, but have been asked to stay online this winter in case needed. They have not yet been used.
This week marks the first use of the National Grid's new demand-flexibility service outside of test runs. More than a million households have voluntarily signed to be paid to cut their usage at times when supplies are tight.
Speaking at the Institute for Government yesterday, Ofgem's Mr Brearley said it was possible that the price cap on energy bills, which determines what suppliers can charge their customers, may fall below £3,000 per year in April, compared to £4,279 per year now.
This would mean savings for the Government, as it is currently subsidising suppliers so that typical households do not pay more than £2,500 per year, rising to £3,000 per year from April. It also means less of a blow for households in April.
Gas prices
Mild weather has helped bring gas prices down after a scramble to refill stocks ahead of winter with less supply from Russia.
Mr Brearley added it was possible prices may fall "well below" the £3,000 threshold over the summer, although he stressed prices were "highly uncertain".