More electricity pylons proposed for Lincolnshire
Plans for more electricity pylons in Lincolnshire have been announced.National Grid wants to run overhead power lines from a proposed substation at Weston Marsh, near Spalding, to a connection point 37 miles (60km) away in eastern Leicestershire.It has also unveiled plans for a "primarily underground" electricity cable, Eastern Greenlink 5 (EGL5), to take power from Scottish windfarms to Lincolnshire. A spokesperson said it was aiming to "upgrade and reinforce" the electricity network and that its latest pylons plan was at "the very early stages".
The proposal follows an earlier plan for 87 miles (140km) of pylons between Grimsby and Walpole, just over the Norfolk border, which is opposed by Lincolnshire County Council.Part of the new 37-mile proposal would use existing infrastructure.Meanwhile, a public consultation has opened on the plans for EGL5 as well as for EGL3 and EGL4, which would all carry power from Scotland to England.Steve Stokoe, of National Grid, said they "would help us to make the most of offshore wind, reducing our reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels".National Grid said each cable would carry enough power for two million homes.The proposal is to run the three Eastern Greenlinks along the seabed before bringing them ashore at Anderby Creek, near Skegness. The cables would then run underground.
National Grid said EGL5 would connect to a new converter station near Alford, at either Bilsby or Huttoft.Earlier proposals for a converter and switching stations at Bilsby and a proposed underground power line will not be pursued. Mr Stokoe said the plans were "critical to building the electricity infrastructure the UK needs for secure, independent and affordable energy".But campaigners continue to call for a halt to such projects in Lincolnshire.
Consultation events for the EGL3, 4 and 5 plans include public meetings at Huttoft Village Hall on 22 May and at Alford Corn Exchange on 31 May, both between 14:00 and 19:00 BST.Meanwhile, National Grid is planning to hold public consultations on its Weston Marsh pylons proposal in June.
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