Mon, 10 Mar 2025

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 Bills to rise by 80p to fund discounts for homes near pylons

Households near new pylons are set to get up to £250 a year off their energy bills, under government plans.

* The government plans to offer discounts of up to £2,500 over 10 years (equivalent to £250 a year) to households within 500m of new or upgraded pylons.
* The cost will be offset by increasing average annual bills across the country by 80p.
* The bill discounts are expected to be in place from 2026 and will be funded by electricity suppliers, who will recoup costs by passing them on to other customers.
* The government believes that the new infrastructure will benefit everyone, including those living near pylons, as it will enable the transmission of clean energy.
* Initial analysis estimates both bill discounts and community funds could see a total additional cost of between £1-2 a year for the average customer over 10 years.
* Communities hosting transmission infrastructure can also expect to receive benefits such as funding for projects like sports clubs, educational programmes or leisure facilities.
* The plans have been welcomed by RenewableUK but criticized by rural campaign groups who argue that it is "impossible to put a price on the loss of a landscape".
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