Archive · 2 Jul 2025
UK Launches Inquiry After Heathrow Airport Power Outage
Imagine a fire at a power station near Heathrow Airport caused the airport to shut down for a long time.
This happened because of a problem that wasn't fixed, even though it was known about for years.
Now, the government is investigating the company in charge to find out why it happened and if they could have prevented it.
The fire caused many people to have their flights canceled or delayed.
A fire at a Heathrow substation caused an 18-hour airport shutdown in March.
The fire was likely triggered by moisture entering a high-voltage electrical insulator.
The National Grid missed chances to prevent the equipment failure.
Over 270,000 passenger journeys were disrupted due to the outage.
An enforcement investigation has been launched by Ofgem.
- Who
- The National Grid and National Grid Electricity Transmission were involved.
- What
- A fire at a Heathrow substation caused a major power outage.
- When
- The fire occurred in March.
- Where
- The fire occurred at the North Hyde Substation, near Heathrow Airport.
- Why
- The fire was likely triggered by moisture entering a high-voltage electrical insulator.
National Grid Electricity Transmission
Ofgem and Government
Equipment Failure
National Grid Electricity Transmission
Missed opportunities to prevent failure.
Ofgem and Government
N/A
- Incident
- North Hyde Substation Fire
- Airport Affected
- Heathrow Airport
- Airport Shutdown Duration
- Approximately 16 hours
- Journeys Disrupted
- Over 270,000
- Investigation Body
- Ofgem
- Cause of Fire
- Moisture in a high-voltage insulator
