Trystan Casey
Electricity pylons are an essential part of modern life in the UK, serving as the backbone of the electricity grid and keeping the lights on in homes across the country. These structures, also known as electricity transmission and distribution towers, have been a feature of the UK's landscape for nearly 100 years, carrying high-voltage power lines over long distances. The ownership of these pylons depends on their size and the voltage of the power lines they carry. The larger pylons, carrying 400kV and 275kV power lines, are owned by National Grid Electricity Transmission, while the smaller pylons carrying 132kV and lower power lines are owned by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). In Scotland, the grid is owned by different companies in the north and south, and the infrastructure connecting offshore wind farms is owned by offshore transmission owners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owners of larger pylons carrying 400kV and 275kV power lines | National Grid Electricity Transmission |
| Owners of smaller pylons carrying 132kV and lower power lines | DNOs (Distribution Network Operators) |
| Height of UK transmission pylons | Minimum 118 ft (36 m) to maximum 623 ft (190 m) |
| Number of transmission and distribution electricity pylons in the UK | Over 90,000 |
| Height of the tallest pylon in the world | 1,246 ft (380 m) |
| Height of the tallest pylon in the UK | 623 ft (190 m) |
| Location of the tallest pylon in the UK | Thames Crossing between Essex and Kent |
| Height of the T-pylon | 114 ft (35 m) |
| Number of T-pylons energised in Somerset | 36 |
| Number of T-pylons to be installed along the Hinkley Connection route | 116 |
| Organisation responsible for operating the grid across Great Britain | National Grid Electricity Transmission |
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What You'll Learn
Ownership by pylon size
The ownership of electricity pylons in the UK varies depending on their size.
The larger pylons, which carry 400kV and 275kV power lines, are owned by National Grid Electricity Transmission. These pylons are often made of steel lattice and can be quite noticeable due to their size and noise. They are responsible for transmitting electricity across the country, connecting power stations or wind farms to regional substations.
On the other hand, the smaller pylons, carrying power lines of 132kV and lower, are owned by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). These lines are often found on steel frames or wooden poles and are essential for delivering electricity from substations to homes, businesses, and other users.
The UK has a diverse range of pylon designs, including the traditional steel lattice structure and the newer T-pylons, which are about 50 feet shorter and feature a distinctive T-shape. The T-pylon design was chosen through an international competition and is expected to play a significant role in the country's energy infrastructure.
It is worth noting that the height of pylons can vary significantly, with the tallest in the UK reaching 623 feet, while the minimum height of National Grid's transmission pylons is 118 feet. Additionally, the UK has over 90,000 transmission and distribution electricity pylons, highlighting the extensive network of electricity infrastructure in the country.
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Ownership by region
The ownership of electricity pylons in the UK varies by region. In England and Wales, the grid is owned by National Grid Electricity Transmission, which also operates the grid across Great Britain. The National Grid Electricity Transmission is responsible for the larger pylons carrying 400kV and 275kV power lines.
In Scotland, the grid is divided between ScottishPower Transmission in the south and SSE in the north. The infrastructure connecting offshore wind farms to the grid in Scotland is owned by offshore transmission owners.
The smaller pylons, carrying power lines of 132kV and lower, are owned by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) in their respective regions. These DNOs are responsible for carrying electricity from substations to homes, businesses, and other users.
The National Grid is working on projects to minimise the impact of pylons on the landscape. They are constructing electricity tunnels underground through Visual Impact Provision Schemes, with the help of independent stakeholders and funding from the energy regulator Ofgem.
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Ownership by power line type
The ownership of electricity pylons in the UK varies depending on the type of power line they carry.
National Grid Electricity Transmission
The larger pylons, carrying 400kV and 275kV power lines, are owned by National Grid Electricity Transmission. These pylons are an essential part of the electricity grid, enabling the transmission of electricity across the country. The National Grid Electricity Transmission is responsible for operating the grid across Great Britain, connecting power stations and major substations. The organisation also works on projects to minimise the impact of pylons on the landscape, such as constructing electricity tunnels underground.
Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)
The smaller pylons, carrying 132kV and lower power lines, are owned by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). These pylons play a crucial role in distributing electricity from substations to homes, businesses, and other locations that require electricity.
Regional Variations
It is important to note that ownership of the transmission network can vary across different regions of the UK. For example, in Scotland, the grid is owned by ScottishPower Transmission in the south and by SSE in the north.
Offshore Wind Farms
The infrastructure connecting offshore wind farms to the grid is owned by offshore transmission owners. This reflects the specialised nature of these connections and the need to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into the national grid.
Historical Context
The ownership and management of the electricity grid in the UK have evolved over time. The Central Electricity Board, established in 1926, created the country's first synchronised nationwide AC grid. Following privatisation in 1990, the grid in England and Wales came under the ownership of National Grid Electricity Transmission, while Scotland's grid is owned by different entities.
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The T-pylon design
The T-pylon is being implemented as part of National Grid's Hinkley Connection Project, which aims to connect low-carbon energy from EDF's Hinkley Point C power station to six million homes and businesses in the UK. In 2023, 36 T-pylons were energised between Bridgwater and Loxton in Somerset, marking a significant milestone in this project. The Hinkley Connection Project also includes the construction of a new substation and underground cabling, showcasing National Grid's commitment to exploring alternative solutions, such as offshore routes and underground cabling, alongside the new T-pylon design.
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History of ownership
The history of electricity pylon ownership in the UK dates back to the early 20th century when the British government sought to address the country's fragmented electricity supply industry. In 1925, the government consulted with Lord Weir, an industrialist, who, along with Merz & McLellan, contributed to the Electricity (Supply) Act 1926. This act led to the creation of the Central Electricity Board, which established the UK's first synchronised, nationwide AC grid running at 132 kV, 50 Hz.
The first "grid tower" or pylon was erected near Edinburgh on July 14, 1928, marking the beginning of a series of regional grids with auxiliary interconnections for emergency use. By 1933, the Central Electricity Board's transmission grid was operational, and in 1938, the grid became a truly national system. This early infrastructure laid the foundation for the expansion of the UK's national electricity network in the 1950s and 1960s to meet post-war demand for electrification.
Since the privatisation of the Central Electricity Generating Board in 1990, the ownership of the electricity grid in England and Wales has been held by National Grid Electricity Transmission. The National Grid is responsible for operating the high-voltage electric power transmission network across Great Britain, connecting power stations and major substations. The National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) recoups the costs of operating the system through Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges levied on the users.
However, it is important to note that the transmission network is owned by multiple companies, with National Grid Electricity Transmission holding operational control. In Scotland, for instance, the grid is owned by ScottishPower Transmission in the south and SSE in the north. Additionally, the infrastructure connecting offshore wind farms to the grid is owned by offshore transmission owners.
The design of electricity pylons in the UK has also undergone changes. In 2011, a competition was held to select a new design, resulting in the T-pylon, which is shorter and sleeker than the traditional steel lattice structure. This new design is being implemented in projects like the Hinkley Connection, connecting low-carbon energy to millions of homes and businesses.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Grid Electricity Transmission owns the larger pylons carrying 400kV and 275kV power lines. The smaller pylons carrying 132kV and lower power lines are owned by the DNOs.
The National Grid is the high-voltage electric power transmission network supporting the UK's electricity market. It connects power stations and major substations, ensuring that electricity generated anywhere on the grid can be used to satisfy demand elsewhere.
Pylons, also known as electricity transmission and distribution towers, are the structural supports that carry the UK's network of high-voltage overhead power lines. They are essential for keeping the lights on in homes and powering technology.
The traditional pylon design is a steel lattice structure. However, a new T-shaped design was chosen in 2011, which is about 50 ft shorter than the traditional design.
There are over 90,000 electricity pylons in the UK, holding over 4,300 miles of high-voltage cables in England and Wales.
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