Royal Wedding causes electricity surge

29.04.2011

National Grid has reported a 2,400MW surge from television coverage of Kate and William’s wedding, equivalent to nearly a million kettles being boiled at once and the fourth highest ever from a TV programme.

TV-related surges come at natural breaks in the proceedings when everyone does things they have been putting off, such as boiling the kettle, at once.

The largest 2,400 MW surge happened as live coverage switched back to the studio at 12.40 once the couple reached the palace

There was also a 3,000 MW drop in demand when the Royal couple then appeared on the balcony.

Charles and Diana’s wedding caused a 1,800 MW surge.

The top three surges in demand are:

• The record of 2,800 MW set at the end of the nail-biting penalty shoot-out after England’s World Cup semi-final against West Germany in 1990
• The 2,600 MW surge in demand after a 1984 episode of The Thornbirds
• The 2,570 MW surge at half-time during England’s semi-final match against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup

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