Former government minister says there is "deep anger" over plan for new pylons across East Anglia
Priti Patel is the latest senior politician to criticise the National Grid's 'East Anglia GREEN' project
Last updated 18th Jan 2023
Priti Patel, the former home secretary, has challenged the government over plans to build 180km of pylons across East Anglia.
Ms Patel, who represents Witham in Essex, said there was a “deep anger… across the East of England” about the proposal from National Grid.
The project, known as ‘East Anglia GREEN’, would see a line of 50m-high pylons run from Dunston, just south of Norwich, down to Tilbury on the Thames estuary.
National Grid says the scheme is needed to transport the increasing amounts of energy being generated by wind turbines off the Norfolk coast, and that it will help the UK reach its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
But politicians from across the region, including South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, have objected to the plan, saying that the cable route should go offshore.
They have now been joined by Ms Patel, who raised the issue in parliament on Tuesday, January 17.
She told energy minister Graham Stuart he was “more than aware of the deep anger in my constituency, and across the East of England” about the project.
She asked: “Will the minister give clear assurances that the government will work proactively to explore offshore grid options?
“An alternative, basically, that will deliver more resilience, capacity and also protect our countryside.”
Mr Stuart noted that Ms Patel and her colleagues had “been assiduous in championing her constituents’ interest and in making sure no infrastructure which imposes a burden on her constituents goes in which isn’t necessary”.
He added: “I’m pleased to say that we have launched the £100m Offshore Coordination Support Scheme, which provides funding to ensure a more coordinated approach, while recognising that there are some contracts which we cannot forcibly change, but we can – including with that funding – help encourage developers to look at doing their infrastructure in the way that has the least negative impact on her constituents.”
A National Grid spokeswoman clarified that the East Anglia GREEN scheme would not be eligible for the fund, because it is currently proposed as an onshore rather than offshore project.