A government-commissioned report released on Friday proposes a unique approach to address local opposition to the installation of numerous electricity pylons required for the decarbonization of the United Kingdom by 2050. The report suggests offering compensation in the form of lump sum payments to residents living in close proximity to these pylons. The report, prepared by Commissioner Nick Winser, outlines 18 recommendations to significantly reduce the lead-times for the construction of strategic electricity transmission infrastructure, including simplified planning and regulatory rules. In addition to payments to affected households, Winser suggests establishing locally administered community funds in each affected area to support initiatives aimed at decarbonizing the energy system and homes.
“By offering lump sum payments to households near new power lines, we can effectively allocate funds to green initiatives where they are most needed, all while reducing costs for those residing near the infrastructure,” said Winser. He further emphasizes that the cost of burying power lines underground is significantly higher compared to overhead lines and causes more environmental damage.
Winser’s engagement was prompted by the need to speed up the process of identifying and commissioning new transmission circuits. The UK aims to produce 50GW of wind and 24GW of nuclear power by 2050, but the existing timeline (12-14 years) poses a challenge as the construction of transmission infrastructure takes longer than wind farm development. If not addressed, this mismatch could result in the National Grid compensating wind farms to reduce electricity generation during times of excess power supply, leading to increased consumer bills.
Therefore, Winser supports the government’s goal of reducing strategic transmission build times by three years, with a larger ambition of achieving a seven-year timeline. Delays in grid upgrades have the potential to raise energy bills significantly, as the electricity system operator may need to compensate wind farms for stopping their power generation when network constraints prevent adequate delivery of renewable energy to high-demand areas.
However, the proposal for compensation has faced opposition from some local communities, as they believe it may prioritize financial incentives over appropriate project development. Rosie Pearson, founder of the Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk Pylons Action Group, expressed concern that nominal sums may be offered instead of implementing necessary infrastructure projects.
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