National Grid experience 600MW ‘pick up’ during England’s World Cup opener

Known as a ‘TV pick-up’, this spike in demand occurs when people boil kettles, open fridge doors or turn the lights on at the same time, often when a television programme has ended or during an ad break.

Forecasters at National Grid expected to see electricity demand jump by 500 megawatts at half-time during England’s World Cup curtain raiser against Tunisia, but demand ended up exceeding their expectations.

Duncan Burt, director of system operations at National Grid, said: “Our control room engineers are hugely experienced in managing the electricity system around the clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“It’s our job as system operator to balance the country’s supply and demand of electricity second-by-second in real time and transport it from where it is generated, to where it is needed.

“With the increased popularity of catch-up TV, tablet devices and other social changes that have changed the nation’s viewing habits, it’s vital we are able to anticipate these trends and predict how people will behave.”

He added: “If England progress past the group stage and into the knock-out rounds, we anticipate these spikes will get bigger and bigger, as more people tune in.”

If England reach the final in July and a nail-biting match ending in penalties leaves supporters glued to their seats, National Grid is forecasting that demand could climb up to 2000MW.

The current record for a television programme was set following the heart-breaking penalty shoot-out in the 1990 World Cup semi-final between England and West Germany, reaching 2800MW.

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