What is the East Anglia Green pylon project? Explained

And when it comes to blueprints which threaten to “throw East Anglia under a bus”, widespread support is somewhat of a pipe dream.

But that’s what campaigners have labelled the East Anglia Green project, which could see 110 miles of pylons installed across three counties by utility giant National Grid.

A fresh report published by the firm alongside Electricity System Operator says the plans play “a key part” in enabling the role offshore wind has in meeting the Government's target for net zero.

Yet the hugely opposed vision has seemingly only scored net zero support so far from residents who will have to live with the imposing 50 metre tall towers blotted along the horizon.

Tall - a pylon

The pylon network, which will allow the travel of offshore wind power, is planned to run south easterly past Washbrook and Copdock, passing East Bergholt until it crosses the border into the Colchester borough.

The Dedham Vale area of outstanding natural beauty has been taken into consideration with the towers due to run underground past Dedham and Langham while crossing the A12.

Calls have been made for the network to instead be laid offshore, a vision which has already been recommended by the firm for Scotland and north England.

It has prompted Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin to call on National Grid to publish a fully costed offshore alternative to the East Anglia GREEN project.

Objection - Sir Bernard Jenkin

“Public opposition to infrastructure risks undermining the roll-out of renewable and nuclear power,” said Sir Bernard.

“The Government must balance what is best for communities with what appears to be cheapest.

“The current proposals, and the regime they reflect, command no public confidence at all in the Government of this country, and should change.”

Sir Bernard went on to explain as an MP he had never received as many emails from residents about a single topic before.

Echoing the furious public mood is prominent green campaigner Rosie Pearson, who said any report published by National Grid is to be taken with a pinch of salt.

“I predict the costing of the offshore option is going to be expensive and not fairly presented,” said the campaigner.

Blot on the landscape - pylons on the Essex/Suffolk border

“It’s very clear to me the Government does not care about East Anglia but we will fight until the bitter end.

“We’ve already fundraised for a judicial review if the plans go ahead, we’ve got a significant amount of money in the bank to fight with.

“These plans are environmentally damaging and short-sighted. We’ve been given the worst possible option without even being given an option.”

A National Grid spokesman said the firm believes the current proposals “best align” with the policies and regulatory frameworks it works within, adding an eight week public consultation has already been held.

He said: “The Government has set an ambition to connect up to 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030 – enough green energy to power every home in the country.

Campaigner - Rosie Pearson (Image: Newsquest)

“It is National Grid’s responsibility to connect this new generation to onshore electricity system to ensure this clean, green energy can be used by the homes and business that require it.

“We look at a number of options when considering any new electricity reinforcements, including the consideration of offshore solutions.

“As the cost of these network connections ultimately goes onto the energy bills of every consumer, the UK government and our regulator Ofgem understandably require us to develop proposals which represent value for money to consumers.

“There will be another opportunity to comment on the proposals before National Grid submits a planning application to the Planning Inspectorate in late 2024.”