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Heathrow Blackout Caused by 7-Year-Old Unfixed Fault, Investigation Reveals

Heathrow Blackout Caused by 7-Year-Old Unfixed Fault, Investigation Reveals
Published on

July 3, 2025

Neglected Substation Fault Behind Heathrow Airport Blackout

catastrophic power failure that shut down Heathrow Airport in March has been traced to a long-ignored transformer fault first detected seven years ago, according to an official investigation by the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

Key Findings from the NESO Report

✔ Faulty transformer bushing – Moisture ingress caused a fire at the North Hyde 275kV substation
✔ Warning signs since 2018 – Elevated moisture levels were detected but never acted upon
✔ Maintenance deferred in 2022 – Basic checks on the transformer were postponed
✔ Cascading failure – One transformer’s collapse triggered a full shutdown
✔ Ofgem investigation launched – National Grid under scrutiny for maintenance lapses

What Went Wrong?

🔹 July 2018 – Oil samples detected high moisture levels in a transformer bushing (a known fire risk)
🔹 No action taken – National Grid failed to replace the faulty part despite internal warnings
🔹 March 2025 – The weakened bushing catastrophically failed, causing a fire and blackout

Impact of the Blackout

✈ 1,300+ flights cancelled
🏥 Hillingdon Hospital affected
🏠 70,000+ homes & businesses lost power
💷 Millions in economic losses

Who’s to Blame?

  • National Grid – Responsible for maintenance but missed critical repairs

  • Heathrow’s backup plan failed – Only 2 of 3 power feeds were operational

  • Systemic gaps – Energy firms don’t always know which sites are Critical National Infrastructure

Recommendations to Prevent Future Failures

✅ Proactive maintenance – Mandate timely repairs for high-risk equipment
✅ Improved grid resilience – Ensure backup power for critical sites
✅ Stricter Ofgem oversight – Enforce compliance with safety regulations


What Happens Next?

🔎 Ofgem investigation into National Grid’s maintenance practices
🛠️ Heathrow upgrading its power redundancy
⚡ UK-wide review of substation resilience


Key Quotes

“This was a story of missed opportunities. Had the fault been fixed in 2018, the blackout could have been avoided.”
– Fintan Slye, NESO Chief Executive

“We’ve taken further action, including re-testing substations serving critical infrastructure.”
– National Grid statement

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