Art, Energy and the World Cup

National Grid has teamed up with the network of  Environmental Education Centres to launch a competition where school children can win £5,500 worth of prizes by turning this year’s World Cup into a work of art.  The competition is designed to highlight National Grid’s role in meeting demand for power during the World Cup. 

At half time and at the end of every big match, when millions of television viewers switch on kettles and flush toilets, National Grid engineers have to be ready to meet the massive surge in demand for power.  This almost instant surge, known as a “TV pick-up”, can increase demand for power by as much as 10%.

The importance of forecasting this demand will be highlighted by the competition which will ask the children to link the themes of the World Cup, energy and the environment.

Chris Rogers from National Grid said:  ‘Forecasting demand for electricity is one of our most important tasks and getting it right is vital if Britain’s football fans are going to enjoy uninterrupted viewing of the World Cup.  We all take electricity for granted and so we hope the art competition will encourage the children to consider all the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure that power is always there when we want it.’

The competition is open to schools that have a link with the Centres which lie in the grounds of the high-voltage electricity substations. Each participating school will receive five footballs which the children can use to create their work of art in whatever way they wish.  The winning entry will receive £3000 to spend on school equipment.  The runners-up will receive £1500 and third place £1000.

Presently the largest TV-pick up recorded was in 1990 at the end of the England -v- West Germany  World Cup semi final shown on BBC1 when a surge of 2,800 megawatt was recorded -  equivalent to more than a million kettles being switched on, providing around 3 million cups of tea.

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For further media information contact National Grid Communications on 01926 655372 or 654768

National Grid

National Grid is one of the world's largest utilities, focused on delivering energy safely, reliably and efficiently. We own and operate gas and electricity transmission and gas distribution networks in the UK and US and electricity distribution networks in the US. Other businesses operate in areas such as Wireless Network Infrastructure for broadcast and mobile telephones, Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. The company owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, which includes some 7,200 miles of overhead lines and 340 substations, and also operates the system across Great Britain.

Top 10 “TV-pickups”
4th July 1990 - World Cup Semi final (West Germany v England) 2800MW
22nd January 1984 - The Thornbirds 2600MW
21st June 2002 - World Cup (England v Brazil) 2570MW
12th June 2002 - World Cup (Nigeria v England) 2340MW
5th April 2001 - Eastenders (Who shot Phil) 2290MW
8th May 1985 – Dallas (Who shot JR) 2200MW
20th April 1991 - The Darling Buds of May 2200MW
22nd November 2003 - Rugby World Cup Final (England v Australia) 2110MW
18th April 1994 - Coronation Street 2100MW
3rd June 1998 - World Cup (England v Argentina) 2100MW

National Grid Environmental Education Centres

National Grid's network of environmental education centres based on electricity substation sites around the UK.  Our centres are run in partnership with local education authorities, environmental charities and other organisations, and provide outdoor learning opportunities for schools and a range of activities and training for adults, community groups and companies.

National Grid Environmental Education Centre sites range in size from a few acres in an urban setting to 80 acres of meadows and ancient woodland.  All provide a safe and secure environment for all age groups to learn about their natural world.

Locations are:

Bishops Wood, Iver, Skelton Grange, Canterbury, Penwortham and West Boldon