The National Grid has scrapped a £17 million project due to local complaints about unsettling noises from new pylons
Somerset: So, the National Grid has decided to ditch its plans for those new T-shaped pylons. Apparently, locals were really freaked out by the “spooky” noises they made.
These T-pylons were supposed to be a big deal, introduced back in 2015 as a fresh take on the usual lattice design we see everywhere in Britain. But they’ve only popped up in Somerset so far.
People there have been saying the sound of the wind hitting these pylons is just awful. They described it as “horrid” and “really spooky.” Not exactly what you want to hear when you’re out for a stroll, right?
These pylons look a bit like golf tees with diamond-shaped earrings, and they’re shorter than the traditional ones. But after spending a whopping £17 million on them, the National Grid only managed to install a line connecting to the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in 2021.
Documents have surfaced that point out several issues with these new pylons. Besides the creepy noise, they need more steel to make, which jacks up the cost, and their bases can flood easily.
It’s been noted that the old lattice structures have been doing a solid job for over 60 years. So, moving to a pricier and less flexible design seems a bit silly.
With over 88,000 pylons in the UK, more are needed to get renewable energy flowing and help the country hit its net-zero goals.
A spokesperson from the National Grid mentioned that the Hinkley Connection Project, which includes these T-pylons, is almost done and will provide clean electricity to six million homes.
They also said the T-pylon design was well-received during community consultations. The National Grid is looking at all options for future projects, including offshore and underground lines.
They’re trying to balance engineering needs, environmental concerns, and local feedback in their decisions. Plus, they noted that the cost of all their activities across England and Wales adds about £25 to the average household electricity bill each year.
