New report suggests new pylons across East Anglia may not be needed until 2035

A new report suggests new pylons - which would cut across East Anglia and Essex - may not be needed until 2035 at the earliest - five years later than originally thought.

Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex County Councils commissioned this report - as they fight against National Grid's plans for over 180km of new pylons which would stretch from Norwich in the north to Tilbury in the south, via a substation close to Ipswich.

The cables would stretch from Norwich in the north to Tilbury in the south, via a substation close to Ipswich.

The plans have continuously have faced massive opposition from locals, campaigners and politicians - who've expressed concerns about the environmental impact, and the placement of the pylons in areas of natural beauty.

They've instead urged the company to consider moving the cables offshore.

The National Grid says the project is essential, with the extra capacity going to support new windfarms and the Sizewell C nuclear reactor.

What does the report say?

It supported National Grid’s position that there is a need for additional electricity transmission capacity to connect renewable and low carbon energy generation in the East Anglia region.

It also agreed that pylons running over land are the most cost effective solution.

However, it challenged the delivery date of 2030, and suggested that the need for additional transmission capacity would be closer to 2035, or beyond.

What do the councils say?

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council, said:

“The effects of pylons and all the associated infrastructure cutting across all three counties cannot be underestimated. The impact on local communities and businesses will be significant, along with consequences for wildlife, our visitor economy and protected landscapes.

“This will come in the short-term through building works, disruption and disturbance of habitats - but most notably in the long-term for future generations who will suffer from construction that they cannot reverse, all for a project that could have less impact if it went by sea.

“To ensure the UK's energy security, our clear preference is for a coordinated, offshore centred approach, delivered at pace to minimise onshore works in Suffolk.”

Leader of Essex County Council, Councillor Kevin Bentley, said:

“We are urging the national bodies involved in this proposal to reconsider their position. We appeal to them to make the right choice, not the easy one, to avoid leaving our county bearing the scars of short-term decision making.

“We believe that the proposed onshore route will have an adverse impact on residents, businesses, communities and the local environment.

"We therefore welcome the report and urge National Grid to consider the concerns and points that it raises and fully explore our preference for an integrated offshore option.”

Leader of Norfolk County Council, Councillor Kay Mason Billig, said:

“We already knew that the proposed pylons would have a dramatic impact on the unique and cherished landscapes of East Anglia: now, thanks to the hard work that has gone into this report, we can see that the need for this capacity by 2030 has been overstated by up to five years.

“I would urge the government to use this extra time not to rush ahead with building pylons years before they’re needed, but rather to thoroughly test and cost-up the alternative options that could, if implemented, significantly reduce the impact on our communities and precious environment.”

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