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I don't know why they say it's unique to Britain. I've visited a hydro station in South Africa a few times where they've shown me that surge, and South Africans have fewer television channels to choose from.


I think it's the sheer size of the surge in demand that's unique. It's 1.5-1.75 million kettles going on at almost exactly the same time.

With 25 million homes in the UK that's 6% of them suddenly wanting another 1000w of electricity.


Most UK households have upgraded to 3000W electric kettles by now, I'd guess.




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