Energy Secretary response to NESO North Hyde substation fire report

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

“Following the North Hyde Substation fire which caused widespread disruption, the government took rapid action to commission the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to investigate the incident. 

“The report is deeply concerning, because known risks were not addressed by the National Grid Electricity Transmission, and Ofgem has now opened an official enforcement investigation to consider any possible licence breaches relating to the development and maintenance of its electricity system at North Hyde. 

“There are wider lessons to be learned from this incident. My department, working across government, will urgently consider the findings and recommendations set out by NESO and publish a response to the report in due course.”

Background:

• In March 2025, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero commissioned the North Hyde Substation Review, an independent report delivered by the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The report was commissioned following a large fire breaking out at the substation, disrupting power supply to over 70,000 customers including Heathrow Airport. While power was restored quickly, there was significant secondary impacts to the aviation sector due to the associated closure of Heathrow Airport. NESO's interim report was published in May 2025, and the final report has now been completed and published on NESO's website. 
• The review aimed to identify lessons to be learned and actions to take forward for the prevention, and management of future power disruption events, and lessons for Great Britain's energy resilience more broadly. The actions recommended by this review address concerns under the three pillars; resilience of energy infrastructure, response and restoration of energy infrastructure and enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure to energy disruption, as set out in the Terms of Reference published on gov.uk. 
• Ofgem has already instructed NGET to commission an independent audit of their critical substation assets to provide assurance on the reliability of their equipment and help prevent incidents like this from reoccurring.
• It is for Heathrow Airport to advise on its resilience planning and as outlined in its own internal Kelly Review on the incident, the airport has set out how it plans to make improvements to improve planning, including prioritising engagement with key stakeholders on the need for investment in resilience.