Households could get £250 off their energy bills annually over 10 years under a landmark policy by the Labour Government to tackle the cost of living crisis.
The initiative will award Britons living near pylons and will be delivered through powers in the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Under the new policy, households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure will receive the bill discounts.
Rural communities will see hundreds of pounds in their pockets for hosting this vital infrastructure, with a potential energy bill saving of £2,500 over the next decade.
The Government's position is that communities directly supporting this nationally critical mission should rightfully benefit.
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Alongside bill discounts, developers will ensure communities hosting transmission infrastructure benefit through funding for local projects.
New guidance sets out that communities could receive £200,000 worth of funding per km of overhead electricity cable in their area, and £530,000 per substation.
For example, SSEN Transmission's planned power line between Tealing and Aberdeenshire could see local communities benefitting from funding worth over £23million.
Developers will closely consult with eligible communities on how best to spend these funds. 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, this infrastructure is critical to unleashing growth with £40billion a year of mainly private investment and creating jobs across the country.
On the energy overhaul, Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: "We owe it to the people of this country to get Britain building again.
"It is no longer a question of whether we build the new infrastructure we need but a question of how and this must be done in lockstep with local communities.
"This Government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill will slash energy bills for local people living near new projects, so they benefit as we drive forward in our mission to achieve a more prosperous and energy secure future for the next generation."
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "The only way to make Britain energy secure and bring down bills for good is to get Britain off dependence on fossil fuel markets and replace it with clean, homegrown power that we control.
"To do this, we need to get Britain building right now. And as part of that, we are delivering on our landmark commitment to ensure that people who live near infrastructure meaningfully benefit."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
John Pettigrew, the CEO of the National Grid, added: "It is right that communities see enduring, tangible benefits for hosting transmission infrastructure on behalf of the country.
"We are pleased to see this guidance issued today and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with communities to deliver long-lasting, meaningful benefits alongside critical infrastructure."
James Robottom, RenewableUK's head of Policy, shared: "We welcome the government's latest steps to help get Britain building the infrastructure it so desperately needs.
"It's right that local communities should benefit from hosting new and upgraded pylons."
Find Out More...
The initiative will award Britons living near pylons and will be delivered through powers in the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Under the new policy, households within 500 metres of new or upgraded electricity transmission infrastructure will receive the bill discounts.
Rural communities will see hundreds of pounds in their pockets for hosting this vital infrastructure, with a potential energy bill saving of £2,500 over the next decade.
The Government's position is that communities directly supporting this nationally critical mission should rightfully benefit.
Do you have a money story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Alongside bill discounts, developers will ensure communities hosting transmission infrastructure benefit through funding for local projects.
New guidance sets out that communities could receive £200,000 worth of funding per km of overhead electricity cable in their area, and £530,000 per substation.
For example, SSEN Transmission's planned power line between Tealing and Aberdeenshire could see local communities benefitting from funding worth over £23million.
Developers will closely consult with eligible communities on how best to spend these funds. 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, this infrastructure is critical to unleashing growth with £40billion a year of mainly private investment and creating jobs across the country.
On the energy overhaul, Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: "We owe it to the people of this country to get Britain building again.
"It is no longer a question of whether we build the new infrastructure we need but a question of how and this must be done in lockstep with local communities.
"This Government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill will slash energy bills for local people living near new projects, so they benefit as we drive forward in our mission to achieve a more prosperous and energy secure future for the next generation."
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "The only way to make Britain energy secure and bring down bills for good is to get Britain off dependence on fossil fuel markets and replace it with clean, homegrown power that we control.
"To do this, we need to get Britain building right now. And as part of that, we are delivering on our landmark commitment to ensure that people who live near infrastructure meaningfully benefit."
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John Pettigrew, the CEO of the National Grid, added: "It is right that communities see enduring, tangible benefits for hosting transmission infrastructure on behalf of the country.
"We are pleased to see this guidance issued today and look forward to continuing to work in partnership with communities to deliver long-lasting, meaningful benefits alongside critical infrastructure."
James Robottom, RenewableUK's head of Policy, shared: "We welcome the government's latest steps to help get Britain building the infrastructure it so desperately needs.
"It's right that local communities should benefit from hosting new and upgraded pylons."
Find Out More...