Sat, 22 Mar 2025

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 Investigation ordered into power outage that closed Heathrow

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband says there are lessons to be learned after substation fire led to major flight disruption on Friday.

* Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has ordered an investigation into the power outage caused by a substation fire that shut Heathrow Airport on Friday.
* The investigation, led by the National Energy System Operator (NESO), aims to build a "clear picture" of the incident and UK's energy resilience more broadly to prevent similar incidents in the future.
* The fire at the North Hyde substation in west London caused thousands of cancelled flights, stranded passengers across the world, and left over 16,300 homes without power.
* Counter-terrorism officers are leading inquiries into the incident, but it is not being treated as suspicious.
* Heathrow Airport has announced a review of its response to the power outage and crisis management plans, which will be undertaken by former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly.
* The airport's CEO, Thomas Woldbye, said it takes time to switch between substations in case of an emergency, but apologized for the disruption caused.
* Over 1,400 flights were disrupted, with around 120 diverted elsewhere, and more than 30 flights due to depart on Saturday morning were cancelled or delayed.
* Passengers affected by the airport's closure have been expressing frustration on social media, including a family from Miami who were stuck in the city after their flight was turned back mid-air.
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