Latest news with #pylons
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Electricity bill discounts for UK residents near pylons
The UK government has announced a consultation on proposals to offer electricity bill discounts to households situated near new pylons. The initiative aligns with its Plan for Change and aims to drive growth while delivering clean, affordable energy. Under the proposed scheme, eligible residents across Britain could save up to £250 annually on their electricity bills. The discount would be applied as a £125 reduction every six months for up to ten years. As the demand for electricity infrastructure grows, the government anticipates that approximately twice as much new transmission network will be required by 2030 compared to the decade up to 2025. The recent planning reforms aim to eliminate obstacles and support construction efforts, particularly in rural areas, which are expected to benefit significantly from the bill discounts. In addition to the bill discounts, plans have been revealed that will empower millions of households through enhanced smart meter experiences. Energy suppliers will face stringent requirements aimed at improving the smart meter installation process and providing compensation when installation and repair delays occur. Ofgem's proposals include reducing waiting periods for smart meter installations and mandating repairs within 90 days or offering automatic compensation. A comprehensive guide outlining consumer rights related to smart metering is also being developed into a Consumer Charter. Connectivity enhancements in Scotland and northern England are underway, including expanding 4G services, which are essential for optimising smart meter functionality. By facilitating better energy management and access to flexible tariffs, these measures allow consumers nationwide to reduce their energy bills. This approach prioritises consumers as suppliers strive to install smart meters in all remaining homes by the end of 2030. This approach signifies progress in reforming the energy retail market following earlier commitments by the government, ensuring fairer consumer redress processes. The upcoming consultation reflects a commitment not just towards modernising infrastructure but also rewarding those directly affected by such developments. A recent study highlighted that public acceptability for new electricity network infrastructure remains high nationally but dips when considering local impact. Addressing this concern, the government seeks community-centric solutions to modernise Britain's ageing transmission network, offering discounts on bills to residents living near these projects as a form of compensation. Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 'As we build the infrastructure, we need to deliver homegrown, affordable energy; communities must be given a stake. That is why we are teaming up with communities hosting new pylons to ensure they receive direct, tangible benefits. We are on the side of those who want Britain to get back to what it does best: building for the future, driving innovation and putting communities first.' "Electricity bill discounts for UK residents near pylons" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK households living in certain areas to get up to £250 a year off energy bills
UK households living near pylons are set to get £250 a year off their energy bills as part of new government plans. Those affected would get £2,500 off their electricity bills over a 10 year period. This means electricity bills will be cut for thousands living near new pylons, as Labour moves forward with plans to "get Britain building and put communities at the heart of a cleaner, more affordable, homegrown energy system." The plans could see eligible households receiving a £125 discount every six months as the government launches a consultation tomorrow, August 8 on proposals included in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. READ MORE: DWP confirms full list of 22 medical conditions that make you eligible for ESA worth up to £200 a week READ MORE: Full list of people eligible for free bus pass after changes to DWP PIP rules It comes as new plans for smart meters will give consumers clearer rights and better compensation, according to the government. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 'As we build the infrastructure we need to deliver homegrown, affordable energy, communities must be given a stake. 'That is why we are teaming up with communities hosting new pylons to ensure they receive direct, tangible benefits. 'We are on the side of those who want Britain to get back to what it does best: building for the future, driving innovation and putting communities first.' Around twice as much new transmission network infrastructure will be needed by 2030 as has been built in the past decade, according to the Government, who released new planning reforms earlier this year. Rural communities across Great Britain could benefit most from the bill discounts as the government speeds up its efforts to build more renewable energy sources. This comes alongside confirmation millions of households will be supported to take control of their energy usage and bring down their bills under new plans to transform the how smart meter work. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE New obligations will be placed on energy suppliers to improve every stage of the smart meter process, under plans being put forward on Friday. The reforms, set to be introduced next year, include new and improved compensation for long installation and repair wait times. The proposals set out by Ofgem include requirements to cut waiting times for installation appointments and fix meters that have stopped working in smart mode within 90 days - or provide consumers with automatic compensation. A new guide to smart metering will support families to gain a better understanding of their rights, by clearly setting out in one place everything households can expect from suppliers when they get a smart meter. Shadow energy minister Andrew Bowie said it was 'right that communities get some payback for pylons – with this scheme following initiatives started by the last Conservative government'. But he added that the public should 'be in no doubt' that more communities would see pylons built nearby 'as a consequence of Labour's net zero by 2050 zealotry'. Mr Bowie said the Government was now having to 'scramble to try and build the infrastructure needed to support their mad green projects' and urged more investment in nuclear power rather than solar. Charlotte Friel, Director of Retail Pricing and Systems at Ofgem said: 'Millions of consumers rely on their smart meter every day for accurate billing, cheaper tariffs, automatic meter readings and real-time data to help keep track of spending. 'But we know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change. 'We're working closely with suppliers to drive improvement, and have seen more than 600,000 faulty smart meters reconnected since last July after we opened compliance engagement. "This is only the beginning – with automatic compensation, faster fixes, and improved installation standards well on the way, getting a smart meter will be quicker and easier than ever. "These new rules are about setting clear expectations of suppliers, incentivising them to boost smart meter standards, and protecting consumers from poor service if things go wrong.'
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Households living near new pylons could get £250 a year off bills for a decade
Families living near new pylons would get a £125 discount on their energy bills every six months for a decade under Government plans to get electricity infrastructure built. New transmission cables and pylons are needed across Britain to upgrade ageing electricity networks, connect up new wind and solar farms, nuclear power plants and large scale battery storage, and reinforce the grid to cope with the planned rise in electric heat pumps and car charging in homes. The Government says around twice as much new transmission network infrastructure will be needed by 2030 as has been built in the past decade. But building new pylons and cables through the British countryside has faced a backlash, with homeowners and campaigners concerned about the visual impact and disruption to local areas and beauty spots. The Government has pledged to deliver clean energy by 2030, as part of efforts to boost the economy, cut climate emissions and reduce Britain's exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices. It hopes cash benefits to local people will reduce opposition and planning delays to the infrastructure needed to deliver the clean energy plans. The launch of the consultation comes alongside reforms which place new obligations on energy companies to improve smart meters, and improving connectivity across Scotland and northern England including rolling out 4G services to allow more households to benefit from getting meters installed. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero is launching a consultation into proposals included in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to provide payments to households affected by the new developments. Households within 500 metres (a third of a mile) of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure could receive a discount of up to £250 via their electricity bill every year for 10 years, totalling £2,500. The discounts, which would be assigned to the home, and applied to the occupant, could be provided in instalments of £125 every six months. Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 'As we build the infrastructure we need to deliver homegrown, affordable energy, communities must be given a stake. 'That is why we are teaming up with communities hosting new pylons to ensure they receive direct, tangible benefits. 'We are on the side of those who want Britain to get back to what it does best: building for the future, driving innovation and putting communities first.' Labour also accused opposition parties of backing higher energy bills by demanding cables be buried underground rather than attached to pylons. Describing this as 'ideological opposition' to pylons, the party pointed to analysis from the National Energy System Operator suggesting it would cost billions more and could raise household bills by up to £850. A Labour spokesperson said: 'Ideological opposition to vital energy infrastructure projects holds back our economy and pushes bills higher. Yet that is what Reform, the Tories, Lib Dems and Greens are doing when they oppose the infrastructure needed to get energy into people's homes and businesses.' Shadow energy minister Andrew Bowie said it was 'right that communities get some payback for pylons – with this scheme following initiatives started by the last Conservative government'. But he added that the public should 'be in no doubt' that more communities would see pylons built nearby 'as a consequence of Labour's net zero by 2050 zealotry'. Mr Bowie said the Government was now having to 'scramble to try and build the infrastructure needed to support their mad green projects' and urged more investment in nuclear power rather than solar. Proposals to improve smart meters from Ofgem, which are set to be introduced next year, include requirements to cut times for installation appointments and to fix meters that have stopped working in smart mode within 90 days – or provide consumers with automatic compensation. Officials said the measures would help households get lower bills through better management of their energy use and access to more flexible tariffs, such as paying less to use power off-peak or benefiting from free electricity offers when excess power is available on the grid. Charlotte Friel, director of retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: 'Millions of consumers rely on their smart meter every day for accurate billing, cheaper tariffs, automatic meter readings and real-time data to help keep track of spending. 'But we know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change. 'These new rules are about setting clear expectations of suppliers, incentivising them to boost smart meter standards, and protecting consumers from poor service if things go wrong.'
The Independent
07-08-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Households living near new pylons could get £250 a year off bills for a decade
Families living near new pylons would get a £125 discount on their energy bills every six months for a decade under Government plans to get electricity infrastructure built. New transmission cables and pylons are needed across Britain to upgrade ageing electricity networks, connect up new wind and solar farms, nuclear power plants and large scale battery storage, and reinforce the grid to cope with the planned rise in electric heat pumps and car charging in homes. The Government says around twice as much new transmission network infrastructure will be needed by 2030 as has been built in the past decade. But building new pylons and cables through the British countryside has faced a backlash, with homeowners and campaigners concerned about the visual impact and disruption to local areas and beauty spots. The Government has pledged to deliver clean energy by 2030, as part of efforts to boost the economy, cut climate emissions and reduce Britain's exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices. It hopes cash benefits to local people will reduce opposition and planning delays to the infrastructure needed to deliver the clean energy plans. The launch of the consultation comes alongside reforms which place new obligations on energy companies to improve smart meters, and improving connectivity across Scotland and northern England including rolling out 4G services to allow more households to benefit from getting meters installed. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero is launching a consultation into proposals included in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to provide payments to households affected by the new developments. Households within 500 metres (a third of a mile) of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure could receive a discount of up to £250 via their electricity bill every year for 10 years, totalling £2,500. The discounts, which would be assigned to the home, and applied to the occupant, could be provided in instalments of £125 every six months. Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 'As we build the infrastructure we need to deliver homegrown, affordable energy, communities must be given a stake. 'That is why we are teaming up with communities hosting new pylons to ensure they receive direct, tangible benefits. 'We are on the side of those who want Britain to get back to what it does best: building for the future, driving innovation and putting communities first.' Labour also accused opposition parties of backing higher energy bills by demanding cables be buried underground rather than attached to pylons. Describing this as 'ideological opposition' to pylons, the party pointed to analysis from the National Energy System Operator suggesting it would cost billions more and could raise household bills by up to £850. A Labour spokesperson said: 'Ideological opposition to vital energy infrastructure projects holds back our economy and pushes bills higher. Yet that is what Reform, the Tories, Lib Dems and Greens are doing when they oppose the infrastructure needed to get energy into people's homes and businesses.' Shadow energy minister Andrew Bowie said it was 'right that communities get some payback for pylons – with this scheme following initiatives started by the last Conservative government'. But he added that the public should 'be in no doubt' that more communities would see pylons built nearby 'as a consequence of Labour's net zero by 2050 zealotry'. Mr Bowie said the Government was now having to 'scramble to try and build the infrastructure needed to support their mad green projects' and urged more investment in nuclear power rather than solar. Proposals to improve smart meters from Ofgem, which are set to be introduced next year, include requirements to cut times for installation appointments and to fix meters that have stopped working in smart mode within 90 days – or provide consumers with automatic compensation. Officials said the measures would help households get lower bills through better management of their energy use and access to more flexible tariffs, such as paying less to use power off-peak or benefiting from free electricity offers when excess power is available on the grid. Charlotte Friel, director of retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: 'Millions of consumers rely on their smart meter every day for accurate billing, cheaper tariffs, automatic meter readings and real-time data to help keep track of spending. 'But we know many customers that want a smart meter wait too long to get one installed or face delays on repairs when it stops working – this needs to change. 'These new rules are about setting clear expectations of suppliers, incentivising them to boost smart meter standards, and protecting consumers from poor service if things go wrong.'
BBC News
06-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Removal of pylons in Cotswolds 'once-in-a-generation opportunity'
Major plans to remove pylons from a picturesque landscape have moved a step Grid wants to replace 7km (about 4.35 miles) of overhead high-voltage electricity line and 16 pylons with underground cables, to enhance land across the Cotswolds project has now received planning approval from both Cotswold District Council and Tewkesbury Borough Chris Baines said it was a "once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance and protect the landscape". The project will now await confirmation of funding from Ofgem before work can begin. The project is designed to reduce the visual impact of the overhead power lines in an area close to the Cotswold Way National Trail, and will run from the south west of Winchcombe to the south east of Malhi, National Grid's project manager, said: "Thanks to the constructive advice from Cotswold District Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council and all local stakeholders throughout the planning and project development process, we have shaped our proposals from feedback received across the local community. "We now have a positive outcome to progress this project to remove 7km of overhead line across the beautiful Cotswold landscape."The section of line was identified by an independent landscape study as having landscape and visual impacts of high is one of five schemes that are part of National Grid's Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project across England and Baines, chair of the VIP project's national independent stakeholder advisory group said: "Through extensive community engagement and by working with stakeholders at a national and local level, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance and protect this landscape."
