Negative electricity prices

When there is more power than Britain needs, prices can fall below zero, and on Agile you are paid to use electricity. Here is whether it is happening today or tomorrow, and how often it has happened.

Today and tomorrow

No Agile prices are below zero today or tomorrow (Monday 19 October).

Prices from Octopus Energy's public API (AGILE-24-10-01), including VAT. Electricity VAT is 0% from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Checked 17:20. UK Electricity is independent and not affiliated with Octopus Energy.

How often Agile has gone negative

negative half-hours per month, London (region C)

MonthNegative half-hoursLowest price
October 202622−3.64p
September 2026131−5.04p
August 202629−4.16p
July 202670−6.58p
June 202663−8.54p
May 202609.93p
April 2026145−11.28p
March 20265−0.21p
February 202603.99p
January 202602.31p
December 20252−0.21p
November 202500.21p
October 202552−4.20p
September 202544−4.37p
August 202542−4.20p
July 20255−1.05p
June 202555−4.93p
May 202543−7.98p
April 202519−3.76p
March 202518−5.08p
February 202501.55p
January 20259−1.36p
December 202420−4.20p
November 202427−3.78p

Negative wholesale prices

half-hours with a negative market index price, per month

MonthNegative half-hoursLowest (£/MWh)
October 20260£0.70
September 202669£-23.28
August 202610£-7.20
July 202676£-20.05
June 202664£-42.02
May 20260£9.30
April 202680£-58.54
March 202639£-24.93
February 20264£-5.37
January 20260£31.30
December 20251£-0.07
November 20250£3.80
October 202529£-15.55
September 2025102£-102.92
August 202564£-12.88
July 202525£-26.17
June 2025114£-55.96
May 202573£-18.24
April 202549£-68.67
March 202525£-17.18
February 20250£7.56
January 20256£-14.33
December 202423£-12.27
November 20245£-4.11

Market Index Data from Elexon. Contains BMRS data © Elexon Limited copyright and database right 2026.

Why prices go below zero

Britain now has enough wind and solar that, on a breezy, sunny day with low demand, they can make more electricity than the country uses. Some generators are paid for every unit they produce, or cannot easily switch off, so they keep running and offer to pay to stay on. The wholesale price then drops below zero until enough of them turn down, enough storage charges up, or enough power flows out through the undersea cables.

Negative prices are most common on spring and summer weekends around midday, and on windy nights. You can see what the grid is doing right now on the live grid page.

Common questions

What are negative electricity prices?

A negative price means generators are paying to put power onto the grid. It happens when there is more electricity than people need, usually on windy or sunny days with low demand, such as weekend afternoons and nights. On tariffs that pass wholesale prices through, like Octopus Agile, customers are paid for every kWh they use in those half-hours.

Why do negative prices happen?

Some power stations are paid per unit generated or are slow to switch off, so they keep running even when prices fall below zero. When wind and solar output is high and demand is low, supply outruns demand and the price drops below zero until enough generators turn down or enough users switch on.

How often do negative prices happen in the UK?

They have become more common as wind and solar have grown, with most negative half-hours in spring and summer. The tables on this page count them month by month.

What is plunge pricing?

Plunge pricing is Octopus Energy's name for Agile half-hours priced below zero. During them, Agile customers are credited for the electricity they use.

Do I get paid on a normal tariff?

No. On a standard or fixed tariff you pay the same price whatever happens in the wholesale market. Only tariffs that follow half-hourly prices, such as Agile, pass negative prices on.