For decades, Britain’s energy supply has been inextricably linked with the humble cuppa. At moments of great communing, such as the climax of a big football match or a dramatic plotline on EastEnders, millions of people at a time get up and switch on their kettles. We might take the resulting tea for granted, but in control rooms across the national electricity grid, technicians are primed to protect our brews on such occasions.
The highest recorded surge in demand – known in the sector as a “TV pickup” – followed England’s semi-final loss to Germany in the 1990 World Cup. At 2,800MW, it was enough to power more than a million kettles. It’s not just telly; the grid recorded smaller surges – about 800MW – in 2020 when people went back inside after the weekly rounds of “clap for carers” to show support for NHS staff during the Covid pandemic lockdowns.
