Innovative T-Pylons Set to Revolutionize Electricity Infrastructure in South West England

The T-pylon is the first of 116 to be erected along the 57-kilometer route in Somerset, South West England. The first 48 T-pylons near East Huntspill will be constructed in 2021, while the remaining 68, north of Sandford, will be built in 2022.

Upon completion the newly designed pylons will connect six million homes and businesses in the surrounding area with low-carbon electricity generated at Hinkley Point C, the UK’s first nuclear power station in a generation.

The T-pylon design is the result of a 2011 international competition organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects and Government, with the aim of reducing the impact of electricity pylons on the local environment and surroundings.

Standing at 35 metres in height, the revolutionary new design forms a ‘T’ shape and is approximately one-third shorter than the traditional lattice pylon design. As a result of its reduced size the T-pylon has a smaller land footprint and a reduced impact on the local environment.

T-pylons are designed to be assembled in up to four sections, halving the usual construction time from around ten days to five.