Bosses expect football power surge
11th June 2010
Another England penalty shoot-out in the World Cup could lead to a record-breaking power surge across the country as fans turn up the gas and electricity for a calming cup of tea.
The National Grid claims England being involved in a nail-biting penalty climax is likely to see a 3,000 megawatt increase in power consumption - the equivalent of 1.2 million kettles being switched on at the same time.
Research carried out by the firm found that 71% of fans would watch a final involving England in their own home or at a friend's despite the growing popularity of matches being shown on big-screen TVs at pubs.
Such a scenario would lead to a huge surge in electricity at half-time or after the match, as supporters put on the kettle or head to get another beer from the fridge - a phenomenon known as TV pick-up.
When Fabio Capello's side starts its campaign against USA on Saturday, power chiefs expect usage will be 1,200 megawatts at half-time and about 1,100 megawatts at the end of the match.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
- UK energy firms slash prices across the board
- Reduced energy prices bring New Year cheer for consumers
- Big Energy Week encourages households to switch suppliers
- UK faces winter fuel bill crisis
- Five ways to smarten up a room for winter
- Wartime money savers we can use today
- 3 ways to cut the cost of Christmas
- 5 Ways To Get Ready For Winter
- Ofgem steps up energy firms probe
- Npower set to raise energy bills
- E.ON announces fuel price hikes
- Domestic energy use up since 1970
- Scottish and Southern hike energy prices
- Reforms will guard against energy price hikes: Huhne
- Save money on energy, urges Huhne
- News Archive
