An independent report by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) concludes that installing overhead electricity lines is substantially cheaper than burying cables underground or laying them out at sea. Energy Minister Michael Shanks highlighted the report's findings, asserting that pylons represent the best choice for taxpayers. Campaigners, however, criticize the report as incomplete, arguing for the importance of visual and environmental concerns. While the cost of installing overhead lines is around £40 million for a nine-mile stretch, underground options can escalate to £820 million. The report emphasizes balancing costs and other crucial factors for future infrastructure development.
The report concludes that burying electricity cables is four-and-a-half times costlier than overhead lines, making pylons the preferred choice for taxpayers.
Co-author David Reid emphasized that while costs matter, non-cost factors such as visual impact also need consideration in energy infrastructure decisions.
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