Octopus Energy has announced a partnership with major housing developer Bellway which will see the construction of new ‘zero bills’ homes in what is being dubbed a “world-first”.
The energy retailer has ambitions to build tens of thousands of homes kitted out with technology such as an air-source heat pump, a home battery, and roof-mounted solar panels – all optimised by its Kraken platform.
Once built, customers will be able to move into homes which have no energy bills for a guaranteed period of at least five years. Octopus says these households will save around £1,800 a year on energy bills compared to those on a standard variable tariff, based on current energy rates.
Bellway is currently building three zero bills homes at its Victoria Gate development in Stafford as part of the company’s Future Homes research project, which will go on the market in December 2023.
From 2024, a further 250 are planned at a Bellway development in Bedfordshire, with the potential for more sites to follow soon.
Octopus said it has now accredited close to 1,000 homes across the UK through contracts with various housing developers and providers. These accredited plots span all types of home ownership and the company plans to deliver 50,000 of these homes globally by 2025.
Michael Cottrell, zero bills homes director at Octopus Energy, said: “Zero bills is a complete game changer, and having one of the UK’s largest housebuilders on board to develop their first zero bills homes is a momentous occasion for sustainable living.
“With Bellway committing to this revolutionary scheme, we can provide even more homeowners with zero energy bills for five years, guaranteed. It means we can make green living the standard, not the exception.”
Jason Honeyman, chief executive of Bellway, said: “We are proud to be the first national housebuilder to partner with Octopus to deliver zero bills homes at scale. These homes will be at the cutting edge of sustainable design and will also save our customers thousands of pounds in energy costs as cost-of-living challenges persist across the country.
“This long-term partnership is a key part of our delivery of energy efficient homes as we work towards the Future Homes Standard and it exemplifies our commitment to putting people and the planet first.”