A Major Incident Unveiled

Heathrow Airport’s near-total shutdown that stranded over 200,000 passengers for nearly a day has become a pivotal case study following the release of a detailed report into the incident. This extensive analysis reveals the complexities behind the electricity substation fire that threw operations into chaos.

1. Moisture Sparks Catastrophe

One of the central revelations is that moisture was the culprit behind the devastating fire. The blaze ignited in a "supergrid transformer"—a crucial device that steps down high voltage electricity for distribution. Inspectors discovered that moisture infiltrated a part known as the high-voltage "bushing," leading to a short-circuit and explosive 'arcing' that culminated in catastrophic transformer failure. The subsequent fire consumed oil meant for cooling, resulting in extensive power loss.

2. A Long-Ignored Warning

Alarmingly, the report indicates that National Grid was warned about potential moisture issues as far back as July 2018. Despite guidelines classifying these signs as indicative of an imminent fault, no corrective measures were taken. By 2022, essential maintenance was repeatedly postponed, setting the stage for disaster.

3. Heathrow’s Vulnerable Power Setup

Heathrow operates on the electricity consumption level of a small city, relying on three connections to the national grid. It was aware that a failure in any one of these connections could lead to a 10 to 12-hour disruption of services. However, it considered the risk too low to justify a billion-pound investment for upgrades. The report emphasizes opportunities for better resilience in energy supply.

4. Critical Infrastructure Overlooked

Surprisingly, both National Grid and local electricity distributor SSEN recognized the supply chain to Heathrow but failed to understand that any disruption could necessitate a full airport shutdown. The lack of a clear communication protocol means energy suppliers do not currently identify whether their clients, like Heathrow, are deemed "critical national infrastructure". The report strongly urges enhanced dialogue between energy suppliers and operators of critical services to mitigate risks.

5. Heathrow Seeks Justice

Amidst growing criticism, including that the CEO was asleep while the shutdown was decided, Heathrow’s leadership has declared intentions to pursue legal action against National Grid. They claim the report highlights "clear and repeated failings" that should have prevented the incident, and they expect accountability from the utility company.

As investigations continue, the implications of this incident extend far beyond Heathrow, raising urgent questions about energy management for all critical infrastructures.