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  • Overview
  • Jul '24
    Majority of public feel accepting of local pylons
  • MPs and the public underestimate public support for pylons
  • Nov '23
    Autumn Statement: Discounts on energy bills to be provided to households living near new electricity transmission infrastructure
  • Tracker data: Public support for new local pylons
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Pylons

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    Climate Barometer Tracker 5th July 2024

    Majority of public feel accepting of local pylons

    Climate Barometer tracker data shows that the public are largely accepting of, or feel no particular emotions at all about new local pylons being constructed in their area.

    As the plans for Great British Energy are laid out, the UK will see a major grid upgrade to carry renewable energy throughout the country. Our data consistently shows more support than opposition for local pylons and power lines, and this new data tells the same story.

    Even so, tacit acceptance of the idea does not mean that the public won’t have legitimate questions about the way in which new infrastructure is carried out. Rather than characterising this as NIMBYism, the concerns of locals need to be taken seriously for a successful transition.

    Climate Barometer Tracker 1st July 2024

    MPs and the public underestimate public support for pylons

    Majorities of the public across political lines show support for building new pylons carrying renewable energy in their local area. Alongside renewables, this is an area of consensus – even those intending to vote Reform UK, whose climate views can differ from the rest of the British public somewhat, show high levels of support compared to opposition (although notably, they also show the highest level of opposition, at 39%).

     

    Despite the relative public consensus, both the public and MPs tend to underestimate public support for new local pylons. Only 7% of Conservative MPs and 17% of Labour MPs thought their constituents would support the measure.

    Policy Insight 22nd November 2023

    Autumn Statement: Discounts on energy bills to be provided to households living near new electricity transmission infrastructure

    In the Chancellor Jeremy Hunnt’s Autumn Statement, it was confirmed that households living near proposed new electricity transmission infrastructure (i.e. the pylons and power lines required to transmit electricity from offshore wind and other renewable sources, to households) would be offered discounts on their electricity bills. The Chancellor said:

    ‘Following consultation earlier this year, we confirm that we are currently minded to provide both an electricity bill discount for properties located closest to transmission network infrastructure and a wider community benefit. The wider community benefit will be co-developed by the project developer and local community to best reflect community preferences. Our response to the consultation has been published alongside this document. We intend to publish guidance on wider community benefits in 2024. This guidance will be voluntary whilst we explore options for a mandatory approach. We will provide further information on the overall community benefits policy, including bill discounts and options for developing a mandatory approach, in 2024.’

    • Source: GOV.UK
    Autumn Statement 2023
    Climate Barometer Tracker 3rd November 2023

    Tracker data: Public support for new local pylons

    The latest Climate Barometer tracker data (October 2023) shows public support for new pylons and power lines being built locally. Although opposition is slightly higher among Conservative voters, there’s still a clear majority in favour, echoing the findings of an in-depth Public First study of voters’ perceptions of green energy developments in 19 Conservative-held rural constituencies.

View the latest tracker data

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