£58bn investment plan for Britain’s energy system: our response

The National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) has published a report proposing a £58bn investment in Britain’s grid.

Commenting on the announcement, Elizabeth Bundred-Woodward, CPRE’s planning policy lead,  said:

‘Climate change is the biggest threat to the countryside and time is running out to stop it. Decarbonisation must be rapid and make the best use of our finite supply of land.

‘We welcome the commitment to offshore wind. The government must stick to its policy of undergrounding power lines in protected landscapes. In other areas, new power lines should follow existing routes and be designed to have minimal impact on the landscape.

‘We’re asking the countryside to work harder than ever. We need a national strategy that ensures land is used carefully and in a way that protects it for future generations.’