£250 discount for residents near electricity pylons
There is good news on energy bills for householders living close to new upgraded electricity pylons and sub-stations.
Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox said the first locations have been revealed this month for residents who will receive a £250 annual discount on their bills.
Ron, of Noreus Ltd, said that customers living within 1,600ft (500m) of 43 transmission projects across Britain would be eligible for the payments for up to 10 years under the bill discount scheme, which has been dubbed “pounds for pylons”.
Thirty-two of the projects are in Scotland to support the fast-growing wind energy sector while ten are in England, of which three are in the Midlands and one is in Wales.
About 80p a year will be added to all energy bills to fund the discount scheme.
Most households that qualify will receive the discount automatically on their electricity bill every six months, although some, such as those on commercial meters, may need to apply.
The first payments will start early next year, when eligible customers will receive more information from their supplier or the energy regulator Ofgem.
It is estimated that between 120,000 and 160,000 households could eventually receive the discounts as more projects are rolled out.
UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks said replacing and upgrading decades-old infrastructure was vital for distributing renewable power and improving energy security.
Many of projects involve a mix of underground and pylon supported cables, as well as sub-stations, converter stations, and equipment used in electricity transmission.
The three projects in the Midlands are:
- New lines between Nottinghamshire and East Yorkshire
- Overhead and sub-stations across Derbyshire from Chesterfield to Willington
- Upgrades to existing overhead lines across Derbyshire from Brinsworth to High Marnham
Critics, however, argue the discounts are meagre compensation for the impact on their homes, neighbourhoods, and the environment. They have called for greater sections of the network to be put underground.
But National Grid and transmission companies argue this would be significantly more expensive and make it harder to carry out repairs.
The Minister said he understood the objections, but added that the pylons were crucial to ensure the future of the National Grid. He said the government could not take the risk of the National Grid failing if it was not updated.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero pointed out that Britain’s electricity grid was largely designed for an era when power came from coal and gas-fired power stations, and now needed major upgrades to cope with growing amounts of renewable energy.
They said the lack of capacity meant some wind farms were sometimes paid to switch off because there was not enough network infrastructure available to carry the electricity to homes and businesses that needed it.
“It is a positive first step,” said Ron of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park. He added: “May I remind readers that last year the UK spent more than £1bn paying wind farms to turn off on windy days.”
This article raises some important questions, said Ron. Do you think £250 off energy bills is enough compensation for living near power lines? Should this amount be increased, as some of our readers do? Do you live near a power line, and what are the problems for you and your family? Send your views to Ron Fox at [email protected]
For those wanting more advice about green energy, call Ron on 0845 474 6641 or go contact him here
Caption: Powering ahead – the first sites have been announced where residents will receive £250 a year off their energy bills because they live near electricity pylons. Picture: John Butterworth
