Speeches by Esterson.

“Have you looked at it to see what lessons you can learn from what is implicit in your comment, which is that it is best in class?”

“How long has it been operating for?”

“I just wonder whether there are airports elsewhere in the world, perhaps more modern ones, that have this greater degree of resilience.”

“The Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee has heard significant evidence that businesses use private networks because you can connect more easily, and it is quicker and significantly cheaper to operate. Is that really why you have a private network?”

“Eliane Algaard, what is your view on the arrangements? My understanding is that you do not have visibility of what goes on at Heathrow.”

“Is it part of the problem in terms of how long it took to re-establish power?”

“You have a private network operated by UK Power Networks. Is that part of the problem here?”

“How long would it take to switch back to North Hyde if the two other sources that you are relying on at the moment were to fail for some reason, because that is the situation that we are in today?”

“Thomas Woldbye, what is your answer to those two questions from SSEN and National Grid?”

“Eliane Algaard, should it have been possible for the system to have been back up and running to give Heathrow full power much more quickly?”

“I think we have got the message. Nigel Wicking, what is your view on whether this was reasonable?”

“We are talking about this very serious incident, are we not? That is the one that we need to focus on today. You accept that that was a mistake. Thank you. The airport was down for a lot longer than railways or domestic customers. Is it reasonable for airlines and passengers to expect that a fire at a single electrical…”

“I thought I would give you the chance to clear that up. Your 2024 annual report does not refer to electrical infrastructure or substations. Was it a mistake not to include it in the report?”

“I thought that I heard you say it.”

“I am glad that we cleared that up.”

“I just want to check something that you said there, Thomas Woldbye. Did you say that all three substations were down at the same time?”

“The power outage, which had such a significant effect on Heathrow and its immediate surroundings, has raised real concerns about resilience and back-up in our energy system for major infrastructure projects and sites. The Government have plans for a significant expansion of our clean energy electricity networks, so can…”

“Is there anything comparable in the UK where consent has been demonstrated? That may be a quite hard question to ask, but have there been any major projects with a good model on demonstrating consent?”

“Which is what?”

“How will you decide that you have community consent?”