10/06/2026
What do the 2026 World Cup and the UK's renewable energy transition have in common?
More than you might think.
Over the coming weeks, millions of football fans across the UK will tune in to watch England and Scotland compete on the world's biggest stage.
But while supporters focus on the action on the pitch, another team will be working around the clock behind the scenes.
The people powering the nation.
Energy analysts are predicting that England and Scotland's group games could each trigger electricity demand increases of around 600 MW – equivalent to the combined demand of cities the size of Glasgow and Leeds.
What's remarkable is how that electricity will be generated.
When Scotland last appeared at a World Cup in 1998, Britain's energy system relied heavily on fossil fuels and nuclear generation. Today, around 40-50% of the electricity used during the tournament is expected to come from renewable sources.
That's a huge shift in less than three decades.
Despite a larger population and more devices than ever before, Britain is expected to use around 20% less electricity to watch World Cup matches than it did in 1998 thanks to advances in efficiency, technology and energy infrastructure.
At Sustainable Talent, we're fortunate to work with many of the people making this possible.
The project managers leading renewable energy projects.
The planners, technicians and operational teams ensuring the network remains resilient when millions of supporters simultaneously reach for the kettle at half-time.
The 2026 World Cup will create plenty of memorable moments.
It's also a reminder of the incredible progress being made across the energy sector and the talented people driving that change every day.
We'll be cheering on both England and Scotland over the coming weeks.
And we'll also be celebrating the energy professionals helping to power the tournament from behind the scenes.
