In the English countryside, Witham residents face off against National Grid in ‘very big pylon war’ amid UK’s net zero emissions goal

Nevin Al Sukari - Sana'a - A sign on the side of a road protesting against the construction of a new National Grid electricity pylon route, is pictured in Ardleigh, eastern England, on January 27, 2025. National Grid plans to invest £35 billion (RM195 billion) by 2031 to transform its electricity network, a project of an unprecedented scale since the 1960s. — AFP pic

WITHAM (United Kingdom), Feb 7 — Standing by his winter wheat field on a plot of land where tall electricity pylons are set to be built, John Stacey feels far from bright about the future.

“They will cut our farm in half,” he told AFP referring to the large metal structures due to be erected across Witham, north-east of London, by the start of the next decade.

Part of a multibillion-pound project approved by the UK government, it has pitted residents like farmer Stacey against those seeking to upgrade Britain’s energy infrastructure.

The four pylons planned for his land are to be operated by National Grid, a privately-run company responsible for transporting electricity in England and Wales.

Once installed, they will carry power from wind and solar farms to London.

For Stacey, in his 60s, the construction on his land threatens not just where he works but also his home.

“I had long term visions of staying here for my retirement and my family running the farm,” he said as seagulls flew overhead close to the North Sea.

“Can I live here with pylons and the noise they may make? Probably not,” he said, adding he sees “no hope” the Labour government will scrap the plans.

National Grid has assured it will listen to the viewpoints of those effected to “limit the impact” of the pylons.

At the same time, National Grid deputy director Tom McGarry insisted the country needs “rewiring” following the closure of coal-fired power stations.

Labour sees the pylons as essential to help deliver net zero carbon emissions and improved energy security.

Farmer John Stacey, poses for a photograph in one his fields, which is the site of a proposed new National Grid electricity pylon route, in Witham, eastern England, on January 27, 2025. New production sites are located in more remote areas which ‘requires building a lot of new transmission lines to bring that power back to population centres,’ said Stephen Jarvis, a researcher at the London School of Economics. — AFP pic

Unprecedented scale

The Witham project would be on the route to the Bramford substation, whose rows of pylons on land the size of nearly 20 football pitches emit a persistent humming.

Residents are concerned about an expansion already attracting firms to build necessary grid-linked infrastructure.

A large solar farm is under construction nearby, as is a large warehouse serving as a connection point for offshore wind turbines.

National Grid plans to invest £35 billion (RM195 billion) by 2031 to transform its electricity network, a project of an unprecedented scale since the 1960s.

New production sites are in more remote areas, which means “building a lot of new transmission lines to bring that power back to population centres”, noted Stephen Jarvis, a researcher at the London School of Economics.

“Some big investments are needed, not just in the UK, this is a pretty global phenomenon,” he said.

Opposition groups argue that while new connections may be necessary, alternative projects such as cables buried under land and sea — and with closer proximity to London — have not been seriously considered.

The projects are being carried out “without consulting with communities first,” said Rosie Pearson, founder of an action group for local residents in East Anglia.

Storks are perched on an electricity pylon at the Tovlan landfill in the Jordan Valley in the West Bank on February 5, 2025. — AFP pic

‘Pylon war’

In a small cafe near the village of Ardleigh, east of London, Pearson met with a group of pylon opponents, whose concerns ranged from the impact on biodiversity to inadequate compensation for property owners.

There is opposition also to having 50-metre-high pylons blocking picturesque views.

The group crowded around a table looking at highly detailed maps of future electric lines.

“It’s the beginning of a very big pylon war,” said Pearson, who is ready to fight in court to prove that other cheaper solutions are viable.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who came to power in July, has promised to override those he sees as “blockers” preventing big new infrastructure projects and the reform of Britain’s restrictive planning rules.

“Securing Britain’s clean energy future will require improving infrastructure in a cost-effective way,” a government spokesperson told AFP.

“Underground cabling is more expensive, and costs are borne by the electricity billpayer,” they added. — AFP