Heathrow fire caused by preventable fault, report finds, as Ofgem launches investigation into incident

The Guardian

02-07-2025

Update:
Date: 2025-07-02T06:37:56.000Z
Title: Akshay Kaul
Content: , director general for infrastructure at Ofgem, said:
The North Hyde substation fire resulted in global disruption, impacted thousands of local customers, and highlighted the importance of investment in our energy infrastructure.
As a result of the report's findings, we have opened an investigation into National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). We have also commissioned an independent audit of their most critical assets.
Ofgem will also further examine the incident and its causes and take further action as appropriate.
We expect energy companies to properly maintain their equipment and networks to prevent events like this happening. Where there is evidence that they have not, we will take action and hold companies fully to account.
Britain has one of most reliable energy systems in the world and thankfully incidents like this are rare. We must continue to invest in the system to maintain that resilience.
Update:
Date: 2025-07-02T06:34:19.000Z
Title: Introduction: Heathrow fire caused by preventable fault, report finds, as Ofgem launches investigation into incident
Content: Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
Ofgem has opened an investigation into National Grid after the substation fire that led to the closure of Heathrow on 20 March, as a review found that the root cause of the fire was a 'preventable, technical fault'.
The energy regulator said it had launched an official enforcement investigation into National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). It will examine the incident, its causes and take further action as necessary.
The final report from the National Energy System Operator said the root cause of the fire was a 'preventable, technical fault'.
The report said:
This was most likely caused by moisture entering the bushing, causing an electrical fault. An elevated moisture reading in the bushing had been detected in oil samples taken in July 2018 but mitigating actions appropriate to its severity were not implemented.
Ofgem will review whether NGET complied with the relevant legislation and licence conditions relating to the development and maintenance of its electricity system at North Hyde.
The regulator will also commission an independent audit into NGET's critical assets and their status to figure out whether the failings at the North Hyde substation were one-off or more systemic across National Grid.
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