As far as I can seem to fathom out, customers will be given 'targets' by the energy companies. If they say 'can you try and reduce your consumption for the period by 3kWh' and you only save 2.9kWh, you fail miserably and don't pass 'go' you don't collect.
Whether it is a percentage of your normal usage they want you to try and not use, or a specific number of kWh during the period remains unclear.
I don't have a smart meter so the scheme does not apply to me, but I'd be more than happy to throw the main switch and cut off my electricity for two or three hours if it would actually benefit anyone. It would benefit me only by having zero consumption, personally, if I did so. Sure, I may save a quid on my electric bill, but that would be clawed back as soon as I put the power back on with the fridges and freezers trying to play catch up, and using power for things I couldn't use while the power was off.
Don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player. I DON'T work for or on behalf of EON.Next, but am willing to try and help if I can. Not on mains gas, mobile network or mains drainage. House heated almost entirely by baby dragons.