Introduction
We operate 90,000km of overhead lines predominantly in rural locations. While overhead lines are widely accepted as being part of the countryside, there are a number of protected landscapes, including National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (“AONB”) across our geographical footprint where removing our overhead lines and replacing them with underground cables would visually improve matters.
Protected Landscapes
We coordinate the undergrounding of overhead lines with established steering groups consisting of representatives from AONBs and National Parks who help us identify and prioritise where work will take place. We provide information and appropriate assistance to stakeholders to help them in scheme selection including budget costing and feasibility assessments.
During 2023/24 we have undergrounded 4.35km of overhead lines within National Parks and AONB. In order to maximise delivery against our target of undergrounding 50km for RIIO-ED2 as a whole we are reviewing internal processes.