What Caused the Power Outage That Halted Operations at Heathrow Airport?
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Synopsis
The recent power outage at Heathrow Airport, caused by a fire at North Hyde Substation, has prompted an official investigation by Ofgem. With over 270,000 passengers affected and 1,300 flights canceled, this inquiry seeks to uncover the failures that led to this major incident.
Key Takeaways
- The Ofgem inquiry into National Grid Electricity Transmission was initiated due to the North Hyde Substation fire.
- The fire resulted in a major power outage that shut down Heathrow Airport.
- Over 270,000 passenger journeys were impacted, with 1,300 flights canceled.
- National Grid failed to act on warning signs leading up to the incident.
- Authorities have ruled out foul play in the incident.
London, July 2 (NationPress) The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) has initiated an official enforcement inquiry into National Grid Electricity Transmission on Wednesday, triggered by the fire at North Hyde Substation. This incident resulted in a significant power outage that led to the shutdown of Heathrow Airport back in March.
A report released by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) on Monday revealed that the National Grid had overlooked two critical opportunities to avert the disastrous equipment failure at the substation.
The first instance occurred in 2018, when high moisture levels were discovered in oil samples from a vital component. The second chance was missed in 2022 when necessary maintenance was postponed. Experts suggest that the fire at North Hyde Substation was likely instigated by moisture infiltrating a high-voltage electrical insulator known as a bushing.
This bushing subsequently caused an explosion and fire that disrupted power to the airport, impacting over 270,000 passenger journeys and resulting in the cancellation of around 1,300 flights.
According to NESO, the National Grid neglected to respond to warning signals, as reported by Xinhua news agency. Despite having identified a fault, no measures were taken to remove or repair the compromised transformer. Fintan Slye, NESO Chief Executive, stated, "They identified a fault (but) for some reason the transformer didn't immediately get pulled out of service and get repaired."
The report further highlighted that the design of Heathrow's internal power network, specifically the loss of just one of three external supply points, resulted in a total blackout of critical operational systems, halting airport activities for approximately 16 hours.
On the same day, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband addressed the report on social media platform X, labeling it as "deeply concerning," emphasizing that "known risks were not addressed" by National Grid Electricity Transmission, which is linked to the National Grid.
The police have ruled out foul play and confirmed that there is no evidence of any suspicious activity related to the incident.
Point of View
The incident at Heathrow Airport exemplifies the critical need for stringent oversight in energy management. The failures identified by the National Energy System Operator raise serious questions about the responsiveness of the National Grid to potential hazards. Ensuring the reliability of essential infrastructure is paramount, and this inquiry will shed light on the necessary improvements needed to prevent such occurrences in the future.
NationPress
31/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the power outage at Heathrow Airport?
The power outage was caused by a fire at North Hyde Substation, which was likely triggered by moisture entering a crucial electrical component known as a bushing.
How many flights were affected by the outage?
The outage impacted over 1,300 flights and disrupted more than 270,000 passenger journeys.
What will the Ofgem investigation focus on?
The Ofgem investigation will examine the failures of the National Grid Electricity Transmission to address known risks that led to the catastrophic incident.
Was foul play involved in the incident?
Authorities have ruled out foul play and found no evidence of suspicious activity related to the fire at North Hyde Substation.
What are the implications of this incident?
The incident highlights significant gaps in the response protocols of energy management entities, emphasizing the need for improved oversight to ensure the reliability of critical infrastructure.
