Fires at UK substations have sparked claims of Russian sabotage but another theory suggests reliance on antiquated equipment and decades of under-investment in the network could be to blame. There have been eight blazes this year, including a fire at North Hyde electricity substation near Heathrow Airport which broke out on March 20 and led to power cuts at 66,000 homes and temporary closure of the flights hub.
Unexplained fires have been reported across the country from Lancing in West Sussex, to Huddersfield, Nottingham, Maida Vale in West London, Glasgow and Exeter. The frequency of the fires has led some to suggest Russian involvement. The UK has about 57,000 substations of 33 kilovolts or more spread across its network. In total, there are 500,000 substations, guarded by CCTV and sensors.
This makes them relatively easy targets for vandals or others intent on meddling with the UK.
Some experts have pointed towards Russia, given Britain’s steadfast support for Ukraine. MI6 boss Richard Moore said in November that Russia was carrying out sabotage across Europe. MI5 head Ken McCallum said Russia was trying to cause “mayhem” in the UK.
But there is said to be a lack of hard evidence pinning blame for the substation fires on Russia.
The National Energy System Operator (NESO), is investigating what happened at Heathrow Airport. It published an interim report in May which stated the cause of the fire remained unknown. It is expected to publish its full report by the end of this month.
Philip Ingram, a former colonel in British military intelligence, told the Telegraph that experts he has spoken to with access to “very sensitive” areas have said they have no evidence of “anything untoward” in relation to the fires.
He told the same publication: “My primary view is that old infrastructure and poor maintenance – or the lack of maintenance – may be responsible for a lot of what we are seeing.”
Much of Britain’s electricity network was commissioned between the 1950s and early 1970s, with transformers manufactured to last about 40 years. But these proved longer lasting.
Under privatisation, the network was split between transmission companies responsible for operating 400 supergrids and the distribution firms that supply homes.
Most of the companies were listed on the stock market and later snapped up by special investors. These owners have underspent allowances meant to replace equipment and pocketed the extra income.
Ofgem data cited by the Telegraph shows transmission firms undershot their capital expenditure allowance by 28%. Distribution firms undershot theirs by 12%.
Of the roughly £70billion of assets on transmission company balance sheets, about £30bn, or 40%, date from before 1975.
Mathew Lawrence from the think tank Common Wealth said old gear can’t last forever. However, Simon Gallagher from UK Networks Services said the networks are performing better than they ever have.
NESO’s latest annual transmission review said the number of loss of supply incidents fell over the past five years although the combined amount of electricity lost was more substantial.