Plugged In: the energy news podcast
Heathrow's power outage - a one-off?
Mar 27, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Simon Gallagher, Managing Director of UK Network Services, delves into the fallout from a major power outage at Heathrow, caused by a transformer fire. He explores why backup systems failed to keep the airport operational despite two functional substations. Gallagher raises urgent questions about the vulnerabilities of the UK's energy infrastructure and contrasts Heathrow's power strategies with those of data centers. The conversation highlights the critical need for improved resilience in energy supply, with significant implications for travel and business.
24:49
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Quick takeaways
- The Heathrow power outage highlights significant vulnerabilities in the airport's backup systems, raising concerns about energy resilience for critical infrastructure.
- Comparative resilience between Heathrow and neighboring data centers prompts a reevaluation of energy protocols in light of modern operational demands.
Deep dives
Impact of the Heathrow Outage
The recent fire at a crucial electrical substation led to a significant disruption at Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest travel hubs globally. This incident forced the airport to close for a full 24 hours, stranding thousands of passengers with flights canceled or redirected to various destinations. Despite a swift restoration of operations following the incident, there are ongoing concerns regarding the airport's energy resilience, particularly how a single transformer failure could lead to such a widespread power outage. The situation raises pressing questions about the backup systems in place and why alternative power sources were not utilized more effectively.
