Thousands of residents living near electricity pylons could be given up to £2,500 off their bills as ministers overhaul planning rules to push through new development and homebuilding.
Under plans to be set out this week, households living within a half a kilometre of new or upgraded power infrastructure could see their average electricity bill fall by almost 40% a year.
The Times says the move is intended to reduce opposition to renewable energy infrastructure as Sir Keir Starmer makes a building boom the cornerstone of his push for growth.
The bill discount scheme — which is the equivalent to an annual payment of £250 over ten years — would apply to new above-ground transmission cables as well as structures such as substations and some significant upgrades of existing pylons.
Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, said that to “bring down bills for good” through renewable power “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 are properly compensated.”
Under the present proposals nearly 620 miles of electricity transmission lines would be installed to link offshore windfarms with urban centres where power is most needed.
Existing pylons will also need to be upgraded or replaced, with some estimates suggesting that across the country more than 300,000 miles of new cabling will be needed.
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