Labour MP Michael Shanks has highlighted plans to give households living near new electricity pylons discounts of up to £2,500 on their energy bills, arguing that communities hosting vital new infrastructure should share in its benefits.
The measures form part of efforts to upgrade Britain’s electricity grid as the country increases renewable energy generation and moves towards a cleaner, more secure energy system.
Under the plans highlighted by Shanks, eligible households close to new pylon projects could receive up to £2,500 off their electricity bills over ten years.
Shanks said the expansion and modernisation of the electricity network was essential to Britain’s future energy needs, but stressed that communities affected by new infrastructure should benefit directly.
Writing on social media, he said:
“Pylons are a vital part of our energy system.
“Now we’re ensuring households near new pylon projects can receive up to £2,500 off their electricity bills over ten years.
“We’re upgrading the grid for the modern age and making sure the communities helping power Britain benefit.”
Britain’s electricity network is facing a major programme of expansion as more renewable generation, including offshore and onshore wind and solar power, is connected to the grid.
New transmission infrastructure is needed to move electricity from areas where it is generated to homes and businesses across the country.
However, proposals for new pylons and transmission lines have faced concerns in some communities over their potential impact on landscapes and local areas.
The bill discount scheme is designed to ensure households living closest to new infrastructure receive a tangible financial benefit in recognition of the role their communities are playing in the country’s energy transition.
For a household receiving the maximum amount, the support would be worth an average of £250 a year over a decade.
Labour has made upgrading Britain’s electricity grid a central part of its energy agenda, arguing that delays in connecting new generation projects have become a barrier to investment, economic growth and the transition towards clean power.
Supporters of the programme argue that modernising the grid will also strengthen Britain’s energy security and reduce the country’s exposure to volatile international fossil fuel markets.
Shanks’ intervention emphasises the Government’s argument that communities hosting new energy infrastructure should not simply be asked to accommodate development, but should see direct benefits from it.
The proposals come as ministers seek to accelerate the construction of the infrastructure required to modernise Britain’s energy system while maintaining public support for the scale of investment and development required.
