Campaigners have slammed Labour’s clean power plan which will require more than twice as many pylons, overhead power cables and substations than last decade.
The National Energy Systems Operator (Neso) said that while Labour’s plan to decarbonise the grid by the end of the decade is a “huge challenge” it is “achievable”.
But Labour will need to reform the planning system to allow the swift building of new pylons, wind farms and solar plants to hit the target, it said.
More than twice as much transmission network – pylons, overhead power cables and substations – needs to be built than in the previous decade, it added.
The requirement, which equates to more than 1,000 kilometres of power lines, has angered some campaigners in rural communities.
Rosie Pearson, founder of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk Pylons campaign group, said: “Why is there no mention of the importance of upgrading the existing grid before building expensive new pylons that destroy nature, harm businesses and see house prices plummeting?
“Capacity could be more than doubled using new technology on existing infrastructure – for a fraction of the cost. Where do we see plans for a much-needed offshore grid to coordinate wind farms and reduce costs and impact?
“And why is there nothing about the cost and environmental benefits of new-style high voltage direct current cables underground instead of pylons?
“Pylons are not cheap. Consumers are having the wool pulled over their eyes. There are cheaper and better ways of upgrading the grid than pylons.”
Neso, the body responsible for running the grid, said in its report that overall costs to consumers will not necessarily rise as a result of Labour’s clean energy policy.
Bills could even fall in the long run when the power system becomes less exposed to international gas prices.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the analysis is “conclusive proof” that Labour’s plan to make the UK a “clean energy superpower is the right choice”.
He said the Government is “determined” to carry out the reforms to the planning system and the grid to hit the target, which comes five years sooner than a previous 2035 target set by the Conservatives.
