Investigators concluded that a technical fault caused the substation fire at Heathrow Airport in March, a problem National Grid had known about for seven years. Moisture ingress into insulation around wires sparked the electrical fault. Elevated moisture was detected in July 2018, yet appropriate mitigation was not implemented. National Grid is reviewing its oil sampling process, while Ofgem has initiated an investigation into compliance with regulations and commissioned an audit into National Grid's critical infrastructure. The incident highlighted the need for increased investment in energy infrastructure.
The fire that cut power to the airport, affecting more than 1,350 flights and almost 300,000 passengers, was most likely caused by moisture entering the insulation around wires sparking the electrical fault.
National Grid had been aware of the issue in the bushing in 2018. 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 has opened an investigation into National Grid for what it called a preventable technical fault. It will review whether National Grid complied with legislation and licence conditions.
Akshay Kaul, the director general for infrastructure at Ofgem, stated that the North Hyde substation fire resulted in global disruption, impacted thousands of local customers, and highlighted the importance of investment in our energy infrastructure.
Collection
[
|
...
]