Power to the People: The Changing Face of the UK Grid

Power to the People isn’t just a slogan for ConsensusPower - it’s a mission. At ConsensusPower, the goal is to democratise energy by bringing clean power directly to people through a unique platform, direct wire connections and by creating Local Energy Communities. This approach empowers consumers and producers alike to participate in a cleaner, more resilient energy future.

But “power to the people” could just as easily describe the ongoing transformation of the UK’s electricity grid. That transformation is visible in the landscape-most notably, in the evolution of the humble pylon.

The Rise of the T-Pylon

For decades, the iconic lattice pylon has dominated the British countryside, standing over 46 metres tall and supporting high-voltage cables across the nation. Now, a new design is taking shape: the T-pylon.

These T-shaped structures are about a third shorter than their lattice predecessors and occupy less ground space, aiming to reduce their visual impact and improve public acceptance -- and delivering the same transmission capacity as traditional pylons.

While the aesthetics of pylons remain a matter of taste, the T-pylon represents a significant step forward in minimising the grid’s footprint on the landscape. You might not love them, but perhaps you’ll hate them a little less.

Why Not Put Power Underground?

If pylons are so unpopular, why not simply bury the cables? The answer is both technical and financial. The UK’s underground electricity infrastructure is already extensive, but much of it relies on older fluid-filled (oil-filled) cables. These cables use oil as an insulating and cooling medium. Over time, aging equipment, deteriorating seals and ground movement can cause oil leaks -- posing environmental and operational risks.

The precise volume of oil leakage is uncertain, but the environmental concerns are significant, prompting a shift toward modern alternatives.

The Modern Alternatives

• XLPE (Cross-Linked Polyethylene) Cables: Currently the industry standard, these “dry” cables are easier to install and maintain, require no oil pressurisation and eliminate the risk of oil leaks.
• EPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber) Cables: Similar to XLPE, these cables are cost-effective and environmentally safer than oil-filled cables.
• Gas Pressure Cables: While specialised and costly to install, these do not require oil management and are less complex to maintain.

Despite these advances, undergrounding remains substantially more expensive than overhead lines. With limited public funds, large-scale undergrounding is not currently feasible for most of the grid.

Building Local Energy Communities

ConsensusPower’s vision is to keep energy generation and economic activity local, ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy stay within communities. Through peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading, rooftop solar initiatives and direct wire supply, ConsensusPower helps businesses, councils and local authorities achieve cost savings, resilience and environmental progress.

Key Offerings:

• P2P trading platform for local, cost-effective clean energy.
• Fully funded rooftop solar installations with no upfront costs.
• Direct wire supply for large consumers, offering up to 50% cost savings compared to traditional supply routes.

The Road Ahead

The transition to a greener, more distributed energy system will take years - well into 2035 and beyond. In the meantime, innovations like the T-pylon and modern underground cables are making the grid cleaner and less intrusive. Leveraging ConsensusPower's P2P Platform, communities can take a more active role in shaping their energy future.

If you’re interested in learning more or want to see how your business or community can benefit, ConsensusPower and its affiliate Direct Wire are ready to help you join the energy revolution - one pylon, rooftop and Local Energy Community at a time.