The £500m was ring-fenced for this project when funding was agreed with Ofgem in March 2013 through the RIIO price control mechanism.
Across England and Wales, National Grid has 195km of transmission lines in National Parks and a further 385km in AONBs. This project, known as Visual Impact Provision, provides “an important opportunity to reduce the visual impact of these lines and enhance the protected landscapes they run through”, according to National Grid.
The draft policy outlines plans for an independently chaired stakeholder advisory group, with representation from groups with a national remit for England and Wales. It is proposed this group will work with National Grid to “identify, prioritise and shape potential projects”. It will also gather feedback from a wider group, such as those who regularly visit National Parks and AONBs, or who live nearby.
Hector Pearson, planning policy manager at National Grid, said: “Delivering energy safely, reliably and efficiently is at the core of our business, and so is doing this responsibly. We are passionate about playing our part in conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of some of England and Wales’s most valued landscapes.
“We are taking a collaborative approach to decision making, in order to make informed choices about where will benefit most from the funding available.”
Earlier this month National Grid launched the T-pylon in Somerset in what it called the “next generation” of electricity connection in the UK.
The pylon was selected through an international an international competition organised by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Royal Institute of British Architects and National Grid.