Sounds like a good idea, but would, IMO, split less along the essential/non-essential line than along the richer-poorer line. Richer people likely also would c

Sounds like a good idea, but would, IMO, split less along the essential/non-essential line than along the richer-poorer line. Richer people likely also would counter this with battery or diesel powered backup power (already happens a lot in countries that have irregular blackouts). If they use batteries, their power usage would even go up dues to losses in the charge/discharge cycle.