Households in certain parts of the UK could see their yearly energy bills slashed by £250 under new Government plans but who is eligible for this discount.
Labour has unveiled a consultation proposing annual payments of £250 to residents living close to newly constructed electricity pylons.
The initiative forms part of efforts to accelerate infrastructure development essential for achieving clean energy objectives by 2030.
Under the proposed scheme, eligible households situated within 500 metres of new or enhanced electricity transmission infrastructure would receive financial compensation through reduced energy bills.
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|Households could see their energy bills cut by £250 a year
These payments would be distributed as £125 reductions every six months over a ten-year period, amounting to £2,500 in total benefits.
The consultation accompanies the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and represents an attempt to address potential resistance to pylon construction across rural Britain.
Britain's electricity networks require approximately double the transmission infrastructure over the next five years compared to the previous decade's construction.
The expansion will connect renewable energy sources, nuclear facilities and battery storage systems whilst reinforcing networks for increased domestic electric vehicle charging and heat pump usage.
GETTY | Ed Miliband is a strong supporter of Britain's push for net-zero
The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero's proposals specify that payments would be linked to properties rather than individuals, benefiting whoever occupies eligible homes.
Compensation aims to mitigate concerns about visual impacts and disruption in rural areas and scenic locations where new pylons and cables face significant local opposition.
Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh stated: "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 has criticised opposition parties for advocating underground cable installation instead of pylons, claiming this stance constitutes "ideological opposition" that increases energy costs.
The Government cited National Energy System Operator analysis indicating underground alternatives could add billions in expenses and potentially increase household bills by £850.
GETTY | The Government has committed to more energy bill support
Shadow energy minister Andrew Bowie acknowledged that "communities get some payback for pylons with this scheme following initiatives started by the last Conservative government".
However, he cautioned that additional communities would face pylon construction "as a consequence of Labour's net zero by 2050 zealotry".
Bowie claimed the Government was "scrambling to try and build the infrastructure needed to support their mad green projects" and advocated for increased nuclear investment over solar development.
The consultation coincides with new Ofgem regulations requiring energy suppliers to reduce smart meter installation waiting times and repair malfunctioning devices within 90 days or provide automatic compensation to consumers.