The chief executive of National Grid has asserted that Heathrow Airport possessed sufficient power capacity from alternative substations, even after a fire at a nearby electrical substation caused widespread disruption and the cancellation of approximately 1,300 flights. This statement has ignited a debate regarding the airport’s decision to shut down operations for nearly 18 hours following the incident.
National Grid’s Position on Heathrow’s Power Capacity
John Pettigrew, the CEO of National Grid, conveyed to the Financial Times that two other substations were “always available” for distribution network companies and Heathrow to draw power. He stated unequivocally, “There was no lack of capacity from the substations. Each substation individually can provide enough power to Heathrow.” Pettigrew further emphasized the resilience of the system, noting, “Losing a substation is a unique event – but there were two others available. So that is a level of resilience.”
Heathrow’s Response and Explanation for Shutdown
In response to National Grid’s claims, a Heathrow Airport spokesperson highlighted the unprecedented nature of the transformer failure, stating that John Pettigrew himself had never witnessed such an event in his 30 years in the industry. The airport asserted that it “would not have been possible for Heathrow to operate uninterrupted.” They explained that “hundreds of critical systems across the airport were required to be safely powered down and then safely and systematically rebooted. Given Heathrow’s size and operational complexity, safely restarting operations after a disruption of this magnitude was a significant challenge.”
Heathrow’s CEO, Thomas Woldbye, had previously indicated that a backup transformer also failed during the power outage, necessitating the shutdown of systems to allow for the restructuring of power supplies from the remaining two substations.
The Impact of the Power Outage
The fire at the electrical substation in Hayes, which occurred on Thursday evening, led to significant disruption at Heathrow Airport. Approximately 200,000 passengers were affected by flight cancellations and diversions. The incident also impacted cargo operations.
- Flight Disruptions: Over 1,300 flights were canceled or diverted.
- Passenger Impact: Around 200,000 passengers experienced travel disruptions.
- Operational Challenges: The airport faced the complex task of safely powering down and rebooting critical systems.
Investigation and Review
The UK government has initiated a six-week investigation into the Heathrow shutdown, led by the National Energy System Operator. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has also instructed the National Energy System Operator to “urgently investigate” the power outage. The investigation aims to determine the cause of the incident and assess the resilience of critical infrastructure.
Additionally, Heathrow Airport has commissioned an internal review of its crisis management plans and response to the power outage. This review will be conducted by Ruth Kelly, a former transport secretary and independent member of Heathrow’s board.
Questions Regarding Heathrow’s Infrastructure and Redundancy
The incident has raised concerns and questions regarding the redundancy and resilience of Heathrow Airport’s power infrastructure. Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association, questioned the airport’s reliance on a single power source, stating, “How is it that critical infrastructure — of national and global importance — is totally dependent on a single power source without an alternative? If that is the case — as it seems — then it is a clear planning failure by the airport.”
A 2014 report by consultancy firm Jacobs identified a “key weakness” in Heathrow’s electricity supply related to “main transmission line connections to the airport.” The report cautioned that outages could disrupt passenger, baggage, and aircraft handling functions, potentially requiring the closure of affected terminals or the entire airport.
Focus on Systemic Resilience
The Heathrow power outage has highlighted vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and the importance of systemic resilience. The Business Continuity Institute (BCI) emphasized that the incident reveals “a gap in redundancy, coordination, and operational resilience across the aviation and critical national infrastructure ecosystem.” The BCI’s Crisis Management Report identified third-party failures as the second most common trigger for crisis plans, with the Heathrow fire serving as a “textbook example” impacting the entire air transport system.
Measures to Enhance Infrastructure Resilience
In light of the Heathrow incident, several measures have been suggested to enhance infrastructure resilience:
- Strengthening Power Redundancy: Ensuring multiple independent power sources for critical systems.
- Systematic Modernization: Upgrading outdated components of the electrical grid, particularly at critical nodes.
- Advanced Monitoring: Implementing early warning monitoring and predictive maintenance systems to identify potential failures.
- Collaborative Planning: Aligning and rehearsing business continuity plans among all stakeholders.
- Eliminating Single Points of Failure: Identifying and addressing single points of failure in critical infrastructure.
Impact on British Airways
British Airways (BA), the largest carrier at Heathrow, expressed concerns regarding the airport’s resilience and response to the power outage. BA’s CEO, Sean Doyle, pledged to seek “urgent assurances” from Heathrow about its infrastructure and contingency plans. The airline was significantly impacted by the disruptions, having to reroute numerous flights.
The North Hyde Substation
The fire that triggered the power outage occurred at the North Hyde electrical substation in Hayes, located approximately 1.5 miles north of Heathrow Airport. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) received the first reports of the fire at 11:23 pm on Thursday. The fire involved a transformer containing 25,000 liters of cooling oil, posing a significant challenge for firefighters.
- Local Power Outage: The fire caused a local power outage, cutting supplies to over 60,000 homes and businesses, including Heathrow Airport.
- Substation Equipment Damage: One transformer was completely destroyed, a second suffered heat damage, and a third was deactivated during the firefighting efforts.
Heathrow’s Power Needs and Backup Systems
Heathrow Airport’s power requirements are substantial, comparable to those of a small city. While the airport has backup generators, these are primarily designed to support safety-critical systems rather than full operations. The CEO, Thomas Woldbye, stated that Heathrow’s backup generators were only designed to support safety-critical systems, not full operations. This limitation contributed to the decision to shut down the airport to ensure safety during the power restructuring process.
A Wake-Up Call for Systemic Resilience
The Heathrow power outage serves as a stark reminder of the importance of resilience in critical infrastructure. The incident exposed vulnerabilities related to power redundancy, infrastructure age, and coordination among stakeholders. The investigations and reviews that follow are expected to lead to improvements in infrastructure design, maintenance, and contingency planning to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
While National Grid maintains that Heathrow had enough power capacity to remain operational, the airport contends that the unique circumstances of the event, including the failure of a backup transformer and the need to safely reboot critical systems, made the shutdown unavoidable. The debate underscores the complexity of ensuring resilience in large, interconnected systems and the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
