Comparing the Costs of Electricity Pylons with Burying Cables Underground

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has published a report comparing the costs of burying electricity power cables underground instead of using pylons to run them across the landscape.

The report suggests overhead cables are the cheapest at between £2.2m and £4.2m per kilometre.

Burying electricity power cables directly underground could cost between £10.2m and £24.1m per kilometre.

The report also considers a number of alternative methods including installing an underground tunnel for the electricity cables to run through. 

Responding to the study, Charles Hendry, Minister of State for Energy, said: "Over the coming years major transmission reinforcements will be needed to connect Britain’s new power stations.

"I know that many people are concerned about the impact that new transmission lines can have on the landscape and on local communities.

"It is essential that these reinforcements are taken forward on the basis of the best available evidence. While the costs of individual proposals will differ on a case by case basis, the IET’s report is a vital contribution."

The full report can be found here and the Department of Energy and Climate Change response here

04 February 2012