National Grid defends Lincolnshire to Leicestershire pylon plans
Going underground would quadruple costs
National Grid has defended its plans to build 60km of pylons between Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, saying that alternative methods would be four times more expensive.
The firm has proposed installing a string of pylons between Weston Marsh, near Spalding, and Ab Kettleby, East Leicestershire in a bid to upgrade the power network. It will also build two new substations including one near Corby Glen and the other at Weston Marsh.
At a planning committee meeting at South Kesteven District Council on August 28, councillors raised concerns about the impact of the pylons on the landscape and local communities as well as the loss of agricultural land – and asked why the new cables cannot be underground instead.
National Grid said its plan would cost £597.8 million, while it would cost £2,911.7 million for AC (alternating current) underground cables and £2,518.3 million if it used HVDC (high-voltage direct current electricity) underground cables.
A National Grid spokesperson said: “National Grid’s Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire project is essential to deliver cleaner, homegrown, more affordable electricity to where it is needed, helping to meet the rising demand for electricity in Lincolnshire and increasing Britain’s energy security.
“Underground options have been considered, but at approximately four times more expensive for underground cables overhead lines using pylons is the most efficient, reliable and cost-effective way to deliver this urgent infrastructure for all electricity bill payers.”
South Kesteven District Council will consult with councillors and residents on the proposals and will submit its recommendations to National Grid at a later date.