[Saba Sports News] Argentine media report that Argentina’s dramatic comeback victory over Egypt at this World Cup triggered violent swings in electricity demand across the national power grid. Argentinians’ fanatical devotion to Lionel Messi and the national team has even impacted the South American country’s power grid, creating a distinctive pattern of energy consumption fluctuations. A report released by CAMMESA, the Wholesale Electricity Market Administrator of Argentina, states: “During World Cup matches featuring the Argentine national squad, electricity demand on the Argentine Interconnection System (SADI) follows a highly unique and characteristic trajectory.” Every time Messi and his teammates take to the pitch, the curve tracking Argentina’s power demand forms the shape of a “W”, resembling an electrocardiogram charting the collective heartbeat of the nation. CAMMESA’s analysis explains the origin of this distinct demand curve: millions of people tune into the fixture simultaneously via one medium—primarily television. This effect becomes far more pronounced for weekday games and as the national team advances deeper into the tournament knockout stages.
The editor believes that energy industry professionals refer to this phenomenon as the “TV pickup effect”. During breaks in major live broadcasts such as World Cup matches, viewers simultaneously get up from their sofas. They switch on bathroom lights, open refrigerators, heat food, brew coffee or make tea, triggering sudden, synchronized surges in power demand on the grid.