Support withdrawn for Cotswolds pylon removal

Ofgem is considering withdrawing its support for a scheme to remove pylons from a rural landscape.

The Cotswolds Visual Impact Provision scheme is framed around the National Grid's plans to replace 7km (about 4.35 miles) of overhead high-voltage electricity line and 16 pylons with underground cables to enhance the Cotswolds' natural beauty.

Ofgem is holding a consultation on its draft decision, which it made due to concerns regarding "affordability, value for money, and cost to consumers".

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said the draft decision "represents a missed opportunity to improve one of the UK's most iconic and well-loved landscapes" and "a huge waste of public money".

Of the six options presented to Ofgem by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), the energy regulator whittled these down to option two and three.

Option two would involve replacing the full route with an uprated overhead line by 2029 at an estimated cost of £155.39m, the third option involved replacing 90% of it with an uprated overhead line and sending the remaining 7.4km (4.6 miles) underground.

The latter option would come at an estimated cost of £335.71m.

While Ofgem said option two was better "as it delivers the same system benefits but at significantly lower cost", it said in its draft determination it was rejecting NGET's application.

A spokesperson for Ofgem said its priority was "protecting consumers from unnecessary costs", and rejecting the proposals was in the "best interest" of consumers.

"This project is discretionary and not doing it would save consumers £180m at a time where many are already struggling with the rising cost of living," they said.

"However, this is a consultation, and we are keen to hear the views of others before making a final decision."

Paul Miner, CPRE's head of policy, said the decision "ignores both public support for undergrounding power lines and [Ofgem's] own duty to conserve and enhance protected landscapes".

"The new, greener energy infrastructure this country desperately needs will be with us for generations to come," Miner said.

"Building it should not be a race to the bottom for the cheapest possible solutions."

A National Grid spokesperson said it acknowledges Ofgem's decision and added the news is "disappointing" to those who have supported the scheme.

"We'd like to thank local communities, landowners and all those who worked with us for their time, input and support," the spokesperson added.

"National Grid will provide a further update following the conclusion and publication of Ofgem's consultation which is expected in the summer."

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