has announced plans to develop more than 100 "zero bills" homes in Essex this year.

Following its first round of 'Zero Bills' homes site in neighbouring town Walthamstow, Octopus and gs8, a sustainable housebuilder, have partnered to develop the 113-home site in Epping - the housebuilder's largest to date.

The new homes will feature centralised battery storage in a micro-grid design, allowing solar power to be shared between properties.

Nigel Banks, Zero Bills director at Octopus Energy, said: "'Zero Bills' is not just about eliminating - it's about creating a sustainable future.

"Our partnership with gs8 to deliver a microgrid community is all about delivering a truly transformative solution that sets a new standard for affordable, eco-friendly living."

Octopus launched the 'Zero Bills' tariff in 2022, enabling customers to move into homes that are fully kitted out with green technology, including a , , with no energy bills "guaranteed" for five to 10 years.

The Thornwood development in Epping will feature 35 homes available through affordable rent, with the first properties to be launched in April this year.

The plans are shaped by and tailored to the needs of the local community and will introduce several new public spaces with homes bordering a nature reserve.

Octopus Energy aims to deliver 100,000 'Zero Bills' homes by 2030 and has already implemented the initiative in New Zealand and the UK.

So far, Octopus has accredited over 1,000 'Zero Bills' homes through contracts with several developers. Accredited homes span affordable and private rent, as well as private and shared ownership.

Josh Gordon, Co-Founder of gs8, said, "This is a landmark development for us as a business, building on the groundbreaking regenerative housing approach we've been committed to for the past six-plus years.

"We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Octopus Energy, a pioneering business which shares our vision and values, and seeking to create homes built for the future and developments that bring positive lasting impacts to local communities."