Suffolk County Council to lodge official objection to plans for new pylons
The local authority doesn't think the idea of putting the cables undersea has been properly considered.
Last updated 10th Jun 2022
Suffolk County Council says its going to officially object to plans to build hundreds of kilometres of new electricity pylons across the East of England.
The National Grid's East Anglia Green project aims to boost capacity across the region, as hundreds of new homes are built alongside new wind farms and, potentially, a new nuclear reactor at Sizewell.
The organisation says current pylons won't be enough to carry electricity across the region, meaning a major upgrade is necessary.
Around 180km of new pylons would be build across the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex countrysides; from Norwich in the north to Tilbury in the south.
The new cables would be routed via a substation at near Ipswich.
Suffolk County Council wants a closer look at the possibility of putting some of the cabling under the North Sea.
Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Leader said:
“The council absolutely supports ambitions for renewable energy and the government's commitment to meet the target of Net Zero by 2050.
"We recognise the benefits that can come from this project, and we continue to work with the government to develop coordinated off-shore transmission.
“However, the council objects to the proposal for National Grid’s East Anglia GREEN as it stands.
"I am determined that Suffolk will not suffer unnecessarily as a consequence, we will continue to protect our communities, residents and natural environment.
“Suffolk County Council has been lobbying government for 11 years on the issue of better coordination for off-shore transmission.
"We are demanding that a more collaborative solution is found to manage the different network connection requirements coming into Suffolk and East Anglia, and that all network options are fully explored."
Babergh District Council is also planning to lodge an official objection.
A consultation on the East Anglia GREEN proposals is now open.