In my 27 years in IT + Telecommunications, I had a lot of time with back-up power. I recall the 'Great Storm' of Oct 87 and the Millenium bug problem and organising stand by power for that. Lastly, I was at JFK in August 2003 when the whole of the City lost power, along with swathes of the north eastern seaboard.
The LGW generators would have powered the control tower, fire station, p/a systems and so on. They clearly worked.
Airports are often built where no one else wants to build - like in river valleys that are subject to fog and flooding. Humans value £££ above all else.
If the Island Asylum is ever built - they will cut financial corners on that all over the place too. Corners that will not show up until years later when there is an unexpectedly big storm. By that time, the men who made all the decisions and cut the corners will be retired and on the golf course and escape the blame. I know because I've had to clear up the $hit by the corner cutters before.
Next question please ...
