How your World Cup viewing could cause rare power surges

The upcoming World Cup is expected to trigger unusual peaks in electricity demand during the late-night and early-morning hours, according to the UK’s National Energy System Operator (Neso). This surge is linked to the scheduling of matches involving Scotland and England, whose games will take place during times when electricity consumption is typically low. For instance, Scotland’s match against Haiti begins at 2 a.m., while England’s games start late in the evening, with the latest kickoff at 10 p.m. UK time.

Neso anticipates that both Scotland and England’s group stage matches could each cause an increase of approximately 600 megawatts in national electricity usage, a demand equivalent to the combined needs of cities like Glasgow and Leeds. This rise is attributed to millions of viewers simultaneously using televisions, kettles, and refrigerators—especially as many will be brewing drinks or grabbing snacks during half-time breaks, which tends to drive spikes in energy demand.

The organization, whose primary role is to ensure that electricity supply meets consumer needs across the UK, has been analyzing consumption patterns in preparation for the tournament, which opens later this month. Over the course of Scotland’s three group games—starting with Haiti, followed by Morocco and Brazil—kickoffs will range from early morning to late evening. England’s matches against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama will also take place in the evening hours. All games featuring the two home nations will be held in the United States.

Neso highlighted that England’s first game against Croatia is likely to attract the largest viewership and could cause a peak in energy demand of up to 800 megawatts, surpassing the increase seen during England’s 1966 World Cup victory. Energy consumption is expected to rise further should either team advance deeper into the tournament, with the biggest games producing the highest spikes. Historically, the record surge happened during England’s 1990 semi-final with West Germany when a penalty shootout triggered a 2,800 megawatt increase—comparable to switching on over a million kettles simultaneously. To manage these demands, Neso plans to deploy technologies such as battery storage and pumped hydro schemes to maintain the balance between supply and demand. Importantly, this World Cup is anticipated to be the “cleanest” yet, with renewables expected to supply 40 to 50 percent of the electricity consumed, aided by the greater energy efficiency of modern TVs compared to those from decades ago.

Craig Dyke, Director of System Operations at Neso, assured that engineers will be monitoring the network continuously throughout the tournament. He said, “Whether you’re cheering on the home nations, your sweepstake side, or for me—wishing Wales were there—this year’s World Cup has more games than ever before, meaning we’re likely to see a surge in electricity demand across the longer tournament.” Dyke also highlighted the environmental progress, noting that despite the unpredictability of football, the event will almost certainly be powered by the cleanest electricity in history

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