_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Market
Insight
Whilst take up of flex deals has been modest in the past, MHHS will help by allowing accurate forecasts based on actual half-hourly usage, not estimated profiles. This means suppliers can hedge and price more accurately. It also means consumers can gain insight into when they use the most energy and change their habits accordingly. Many will turn to technologies that allow them to offset consumption during expensive periods. Home renewable solutions such as solar panels, small-scale wind, and particularly home batteries will all likely see a surge in adoption.
For the grid, this promises stability in the face of rising demand from electric vehicles( EVs) and the gigantic data centers required for artificial intelligence calculations.
Suppliers’ future success will hinge on enabling customers to make the most of flex deals and renewable technologies. They will need to provide clear, transparent tariff structures that reward off-peak behaviour; then provide the requisite tools and apps to consumers that visualise usage in real time; and finally, provide financial incentives to those who share capacity back to the grid.
Technology partners will become increasingly essential. Their innovations will make it easier for consumers to automate energy-saving behaviour. Whether that be charging EVs overnight, storing energy in batteries for later use, or shifting appliance usage to off-peak windows.
Reducing pressure on the grid
One of the most compelling benefits of widespread flex deal adoption will be its impact on grid stability and affordability. It will help reduce pressure on the grid during peak periods, which will lead to fewer instances of emergency generation, lower long-term infrastructure investment needs, and better integration of other energy sources. At the same time, flex deals will lower bills due to greater off-peak usage, plus provide greater control and transparency over consumption. They will also provide opportunities to consumers to self-generate and store energy.
This ecosystem approach will create a more resilient grid without requiring massive upfront infrastructure investment. But for it to be a success, we all need to get involved. The more that participate in the energy ecosystem, the cheaper and greener the whole system becomes.
Cultural shift
As MHHS goes live and flex deals accelerate, 2026 is set to become the year the energy market finally transitions from passive consumption to intelligent, dynamic energy engagement. Suppliers, partners, and consumers will no longer operate in isolation, but instead form a shared ecosystem where each contributes to grid resilience and carbon reduction.
This is not just a technological shift; it is a cultural one. Consumers will expect transparency. Suppliers will compete on intelligence, not just price. Technology providers will innovate at the intersection of data, automation, and home energy. The result will be a greener, more efficient, and more collaborative energy future for all. â–
David Sheldrake www. powwr. com
David Sheldrake is the Chief Revenue Officer at POWWR, having joined the business in 2019 to head up its Sales360 team, working with energy suppliers to increase go-live rates and streamline sales. In January 2026, David took on his current role and is now responsible for managing and maximising all revenuegenerating streams, including sales, marketing, customer success, and revenue operations.
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