British Gas giving away year's worth of free electricity to 10 customers (2025)

British Gas is giving 10 customers the chance to win a year's worth of free electricity, and it's incredibly simple to enter the competition. Here's everything you need to know

British Gas is offering its customers the opportunity to 'win' a year's worth of free electricity by participating in Earth Hour this weekend and reducing their energy consumption. On Saturday, March 22, from 8:30pm to 9:30pm, millions of UK households will join the global initiative, switching off their lights to promote sustainability and lower energy use.

In a bid to inspire further action, British Gas will reward 10 of its PeakSave customers who cut down their electricity usage during this hour with free electricity for a year, based on projected average yearly electricity costs.

The drive towards more sustainable energy use is gaining momentum, with more Brits than ever seeking intelligent ways to lessen their environmental impact. According to research from British Gas, sustainability is a growing concern among Brits, with 80% of homeowners ready to make changes at home to reduce their carbon footprint, reports the Daily Record.

John Evans, Commercial Director at British Gas, commented: "Earth Hour serves as a potent reminder that small actions can have a big impact - not just on the environment but also for 10 fortunate PeakSavers who stand to win a year's free electricity.

"To be in with a chance of winning free electricity, our PeakSavers simply need to consume less electricity during Earth Hour than they typically would at this time."

How to participate

Ten customers who manage to reduce their consumption, whether significantly or marginally (compared to their usual usage at this time), will receive £926, which covers the average annual electricity cost.

To stand a chance of winning a year's worth of free electricity, individuals need to:.

• Be a PeakSave customer with a working smart meter
• Use a little less electricity between 8:30pm and 9:30pm on Saturday March 22, 2025

If the above criteria apply to you, you'll be automatically entered into the prize draw.

Beyond Earth Hour, British Gas remains committed to helping customers find practical ways to conserve energy, offering everything from smart home solutions to expert advice on reducing consumption without sacrificing comfort.

Customers who are part of British Gas' PeakSave scheme will benefit from half-price electricity when they shift their energy usage to off-peak hours between 11am and 4pm on Sundays.

So far, over 800,000 people have collectively saved more than £20m through the scheme.

For those finding it hard to meet energy costs, assistance is available via the British Gas Energy Trust and the You Pay: We Pay scheme, where British Gas will match 100 per cent of every payment you make.

British Gas: You Pay: We Pay

Under this scheme, British Gas matches payments made by those who can afford to pay something over a six-month period. There's no minimum debt balance required to qualify.

For instance, a customer paying £100 a month will pay £600 over six months, with British Gas contributing an additional £600 credit to their account. This could also help clear any outstanding balance accrued over the winter months.

More information about the scheme can be found here.

The British Gas Energy Trust currently has two energy debt support funds open to assist those struggling this winter.

The Individuals and Families Fund provides energy debt grants of up to £1,700 to both British Gas customers and those with other suppliers, while the Energy Support Fund offers energy debt grants of up to £2,000 exclusively to British Gas customers.

The energy debt grants from the British Gas Energy Trust offer a lifeline to those struggling to keep up with their energy bills.

These grants are crucial not only for easing immediate financial burdens but also for ensuring families can keep their homes warm and comfortable, particularly during the colder months when energy consumption tends to increase.

Support offered by the British Gas Energy Trust

• Community Support Programme - Funds over 41 charities across Britain, including Citizens Advice offices, to deliver budget planning, benefits guidance and energy efficiency advice.
• Debt Relief Grants - Provides eligible households with grants of up to £2,000 to clear energy debt.
• White Goods Programme - Essential appliances are available to qualifying households through our community support programme.
• Emergency Small Grants - Fuel vouchers provided through our community support programme and trusted partners for immediate energy needs.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Energy Support Fund, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have energy debt between £50 - £2,000 on a prepayment meter or £250 - £2,000 on a credit account
• Have not received a grant from the Trust in the past 12 months
• Have received assistance from a money advice agency in the last 6 months
• Be a British Gas customer living in Scotland, England or Wales
• Be experiencing or at risk of fuel poverty

Eligibility for the Individuals and Families Fund

For the Individuals and Families Fund, which is accessible to both British Gas customers and those with other providers, eligibility includes:

• Have received assistance from a money advice agency in the last 6 months
• Be living in Scotland, England or Wales
• Be seeking assistance with energy debt related to the primary residence
• Having energy debt up to £1,700 on a credit or prepayment meter account

It's worth noting that applicants whose energy suppliers have their own support funds may not be eligible for the Individuals and Families Fund.

Application Process

The British Gas Energy Trust encourages anyone in need of assistance to apply or to find out more about the eligibility requirements via the Trust's website here.