Powering England through the World Cup

20 years ago, England losing the World Cup semi-final to West Germany on penalties caused the biggest power surge ever seen in the UK after a television programme.

However, that almost instant 2,800 Megawatt spike in demand is likely to be topped if England makes it to this year’s World Cup Final. National Grid predicts the surge would be about 3,000 Megawatts, or the equivalent of 1.2 million kettles being switched on at the same time, and plans are already underway to cater for such a dramatic increase in electricity demand.

Research shows that two out of three people in England say they will be following the national team’s progress on TV, but, perhaps surprisingly, well over 70% say they will be watching England’s games at home or at a friend or relative’s house rather than in the pub.

At half time and full time this will trigger ‘TV pick ups’ – huge potential 1000 megawatt surges in power usage caused by millions of us almost simultaneously opening fridge doors to get another drink and, above all, by many millions more putting the kettle on, as, in that typically British way, we digest the drama over a cuppa. The further England progress in the tournament, the greater the spikes in demand will be.

And it’s up to the National Grid’s highly experienced engineers at the Electricity National Control Centre in southern England to balance those sudden needs for electricity with the power being generated from power stations around the country.

They have been preparing careful forecasts for this World Cup’s impact on electricity demand and supply looking back at previous World Cup and Euro championship matches so rest assured that the power will stay on at the crucial times around England’s matches.

In the following video Jon Fenn from the National Grid shows us just how much power we are going to demand during the World Cup and how they are going to keep it flowing.

For more information visit: nationalgrid.com/uk