Future of the National Grid

[PTR 444]

With energy prices and consumption a very topical issue at the moment, it is clear that we are going to need a lot more generating capacity on our own soil to replace fossil fuel power stations and avoid having to rely on imports. New nuclear power stations are under construction at Hinkley Point and Sizewell, while Bradwell, Oldbury and Wylfa have also been mooted as possible future sites. As more get built, this will require an expansion of the National Grid.

Currently there is already a new 400kv line under construction between Hinkley Point and Seabank, formed of the brand new T-pylons which are designed to be more visually appealing than the traditional lattice-style towers. This will provide additional grid capacity when Hinkley Point C finally opens.

I’m wondering if we will see more T-pylons across the landscape as more new nuclear power stations get built, whether these are along new routes or replace existing 400kv lattice towers. Also with the gradual rollout of EVs to replace IC cars, are we likely to see higher voltage lines to areas of high charging demand - i.e. motorway service stations?

Conversely, with cables being buried underground and new 400kv lines consisting of longer spans between towers, could we actually see fewer pylons overall across the landscape long-term?

 

[MotCO]

Does it depend on where the new generators are placed in relation to the areas of need? If we have a plethora of SMR (small modular (nuclear) reactors), then they could be placed near cities. If we rely on windmills off the coast of Scotland, we will need to get the electricity south, which could mean more 400kv lines, hopefully underground to be more resilient in bad weather. It also depends if an independent Scotland refuses to send electricity south or over-prices it - this would require different generators in different areas which will need some 400kv wires to get the electricity in the right place.

 

[najaB]

It also depends if an independent Scotland refuses to send electricity south or over-prices it - this would require different generators in different areas which will need some 400kv wires to get the electricity in the right place.

Neither of those are likely outcomes - energy exports are likely to form a large part of an independent Scotland's economy, and we aren't likely to be actively hostile towards the remaining UK.