Issues at an electrical substation which caused a fire that resulted in Heathrow Airport closing were first detected seven years ago but not fixed, a report has found.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO) said moisture entering electrical components at the North Hyde substation caused the blaze at the site that supplies the UK’s biggest airport with power.
Heathrow shut down the following day as a result of the power cut, which led to thousands of cancelled flights and stranded passengers.
Neso said previously that the the power outage affected 66,919 domestic and commercial customers, including Heathrow Airport. Around 270,000 journeys were affected.
Its report said the fire “was most likely caused by moisture entering the bushing causing a short circuit. The electricity likely then “arced” (causing sparks) which combined with air and heat to ignite the oil, resulting in a fire.”
Bushing is a mechanical device used to temper energy between two electrical parts.
In response to the report, Heathrow Airport said a “combination of outdated regulation, inadequate safety mechanisms, and National Grid’s failure to maintain its infrastructure” that led to this “catastrophic power outage”.
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