Households near new pylons to save thousands on electricity bills

Households living close to new electricity pylons will start getting discounts on their energy bills next year.

The government believes much of the country’s current infrastructure is outdated and needs upgrading to support cleaner and more affordable energy.

But big energy infrastructure projects are often met with strong opposition from communities, so ministers want to give people more of an incentive to back them.

So households living within half a kilometre of new or upgraded electricity pylons will get £2,500 off their electricity bills over 10 years. 

That works out to £250 a year, with most getting the discount automatically on their electricity bill every six months via their energy supplier.

You can find the full list of locations where households may be eligible on GOV.UK.

Communities that host new infrastructure ‘should benefit’

Energy minister Michael Shanks described the upgrading of Britain’s electricity grid as “a moment of national renewal”.

“It’s vital we build again as a country,” he said.

“And we are determined those communities which host pylons should benefit, which is why we’re bringing down the energy bills of those hosting this vital national infrastructure.”

Neil Lawrence of Ofgem added that these communities are playing a big role in delivering a much-needed cleaner and more secure energy system.

“We look forward to working closely with government, electricity suppliers and transmission owners to ensure the scheme is ready to support households when payments begin,” he said.

What can I do if I’m struggling with my electricity bills?

If you’re finding it hard to keep up with your bills, then there are a few practical steps you can take.

Speak to your supplier 

Get in touch with your electricity supplier as soon as you can.

They might be able to offer payment plans, grants and advice on managing your account.

Find out what benefits you’re entitled to

You may be able to get some financial support to help with everyday living costs.

Get in touch or use our benefits calculator to see what you could claim.

It might be more than you realise.

Get debt advice

If you’re in arrears and struggling with other debts, contact us for confidential, practical and impartial debt advice.

Save energy

While energy prices are beyond our control, you can make changes to how much you use - and therefore pay for.

Just a few small changes like not overfilling the kettle or turning lights off in empty rooms can save you money.

Check our list of 50 smart energy-saving tips for more easy ideas. 

Create a household budget

Make sure you know exactly how much money you’ve got coming in each month and where it’s going.

You can then prioritise your spending and work out where savings can be made.

Check our guide to creating a budget to find out more.