The policy in favour of laying cables underground in AONBs is welcome. However, due to the significantly higher construction costs it is likely that overhead lines will simply be re-routed around AONBs. This will mean that communities and businesses in those areas will remain isolated from grid infrastructure and face high costs to connect to the grid.

The policy in favour of laying cables underground in AONBs is welcome. However, due to the significantly higher construction costs it is likely that overhead lines will simply be re-routed around AONBs. This will mean that communities and businesses in those areas will remain isolated from grid infrastructure and face high costs to connect to the grid. Type: conclusion | Number: 21 | Paragraph: 109 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: The Government recognises that grid connection costs can be high in rural areas due, for example to distance from the existing network. Ofgem are revising how customers are charged for connecting to the distribution networks, meaning that they will no longer have to contribute to (in the case of dem