The trial, supported by Coleraine Borough Council, will involve swapping existing electricity meters with a new ‘Smart Digital meter’ that will monitor a household’s electricity use, showing customers how much electricity they are using and how much it is costing, allowing them to be more energy efficient.

Christine Baker, NIE Customer Liaison Officer, said: "So far we have had a great response to the trial. We are hoping that around 200 householders will get involved and I would encourage those in the area who have not yet signed up to get in touch.  No matter which electricity supplier you get your bill from you can still take part in NIEs trial and you can change your supplier at any time in the same way you can now." 

For taking part NIE will send customers a cheque for £25.  Providing customers stay in the trial for the second year they may be able to accumulate savings by shifting the times they use electricity and at the end of the trial NIE will pay volunteers these savings up to a maximum of £75.

Christine added: "It’s easy to get involved, won’t cost anything and you can opt out at anytime. You can register by contacting us at 08457 643 643, online at www.nie.co.uk/shiftandsave or by email at shiftandsave@nie.co.uk.