Eurostar and LeShuttle Services Disrupted by Channel Tunnel Power Outage
Published 30 December 2025
Highlights
- Eurostar and LeShuttle services faced significant disruptions due to a power outage in the Channel Tunnel, affecting thousands of travelers.
- Eurostar plans to resume full services but warns of potential delays and last-minute cancellations due to ongoing infrastructure issues.
- Octopus Energy is spinning off its Kraken Technologies arm, valued at $8.65 billion, with plans for a potential stock market flotation.
- The disruption in the Channel Tunnel coincided with Eurostar's high passenger demand period, exacerbating travel chaos.
- Octopus Energy's Kraken spinoff aims to enhance its growth potential and expand its global reach in energy technology.
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Rewritten Article
Eurostar and LeShuttle Services Disrupted by Channel Tunnel Power Outage
Travelers using the Channel Tunnel faced significant disruptions as a power outage halted Eurostar and LeShuttle services, leaving thousands stranded. The outage, which occurred on Tuesday, was compounded by a broken-down LeShuttle train, blocking all routes and causing chaos for those attempting to travel for New Year's Eve.
Travel Chaos and Delays
Eurostar, which operates passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel, experienced mass cancellations, impacting services between London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels. Some passengers reported being stuck on trains for over six hours, with uncertainty about whether they would reach their destinations. "There's a 50% chance we go to Paris, 50% chance we go back to London," one passenger recounted.
Despite efforts to resume services, Eurostar warned of potential delays and last-minute cancellations due to ongoing infrastructure issues. The company advised travelers to check live updates and consider rebooking their journeys.
Octopus Energy's Strategic Move
In a separate development, Octopus Energy announced the spinoff of its Kraken Technologies arm, valued at $8.65 billion. The energy giant sold a $1 billion stake in Kraken to investors, paving the way for its independence and potential stock market flotation. Kraken, which uses AI to manage energy consumption, serves 70 million accounts globally and aims to expand its reach further.
Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, expressed optimism about Kraken's future, stating, "As an independent company with world-class backers, it will be free to grow even faster."
Impact on Travelers and Energy Market
The Channel Tunnel disruption comes at a time of high demand for Eurostar, which saw a record 19.5 million passengers in 2024. The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure during peak travel periods.
Meanwhile, Octopus Energy's strategic move with Kraken underscores the growing importance of technology in the energy sector. The spinoff is expected to enhance Kraken's growth potential and position it as a leader in energy technology.
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Scenario Analysis
The Channel Tunnel disruptions could lead to increased scrutiny of Eurostar and LeShuttle's operational resilience, especially during peak travel periods. Future investments in infrastructure and contingency planning may be prioritized to prevent similar incidents.
For Octopus Energy, the Kraken spinoff represents a significant step towards expanding its technological capabilities and market presence. A successful stock market flotation could provide the capital needed for further innovation and acquisitions, potentially reshaping the energy technology landscape.
Travelers using the Channel Tunnel faced significant disruptions as a power outage halted Eurostar and LeShuttle services, leaving thousands stranded. The outage, which occurred on Tuesday, was compounded by a broken-down LeShuttle train, blocking all routes and causing chaos for those attempting to travel for New Year's Eve.
Travel Chaos and Delays
Eurostar, which operates passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel, experienced mass cancellations, impacting services between London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels. Some passengers reported being stuck on trains for over six hours, with uncertainty about whether they would reach their destinations. "There's a 50% chance we go to Paris, 50% chance we go back to London," one passenger recounted.
Despite efforts to resume services, Eurostar warned of potential delays and last-minute cancellations due to ongoing infrastructure issues. The company advised travelers to check live updates and consider rebooking their journeys.
Octopus Energy's Strategic Move
In a separate development, Octopus Energy announced the spinoff of its Kraken Technologies arm, valued at $8.65 billion. The energy giant sold a $1 billion stake in Kraken to investors, paving the way for its independence and potential stock market flotation. Kraken, which uses AI to manage energy consumption, serves 70 million accounts globally and aims to expand its reach further.
Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, expressed optimism about Kraken's future, stating, "As an independent company with world-class backers, it will be free to grow even faster."
Impact on Travelers and Energy Market
The Channel Tunnel disruption comes at a time of high demand for Eurostar, which saw a record 19.5 million passengers in 2024. The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure during peak travel periods.
Meanwhile, Octopus Energy's strategic move with Kraken underscores the growing importance of technology in the energy sector. The spinoff is expected to enhance Kraken's growth potential and position it as a leader in energy technology.
What this might mean
The Channel Tunnel disruptions could lead to increased scrutiny of Eurostar and LeShuttle's operational resilience, especially during peak travel periods. Future investments in infrastructure and contingency planning may be prioritized to prevent similar incidents.
For Octopus Energy, the Kraken spinoff represents a significant step towards expanding its technological capabilities and market presence. A successful stock market flotation could provide the capital needed for further innovation and acquisitions, potentially reshaping the energy technology landscape.
