Scheme design for bill discounts for new transmission network infrastructure

The government response details feedback received, our response and the outcomes of this consultation which aimed to gather views on scheme design for the bill discount scheme.

The government believes that communities that host new electricity transmission network infrastructure should be recognised for the role they play in achieving our clean power ambitions, and that they should be able to directly benefit from it.

Following the feedback to this consultation, we are:

• working closely with stakeholders to finalise positions on mapping the eligibility zone
• excluding multiple occupancy buildings in scope of the scheme
• working to ensure a balance between the benefits provided to host communities and the overall cost to billpayers

We will continue to work with industry, community representatives, and Ofgem to ensure the scheme:

• can be effectively delivered and administered
• will review its effectiveness post-implementation

We received 243 responses from a range of stakeholders, including:

• transmission owners
• community groups
• charities
• park home associations
• care home providers
• trade associations
• individuals
• campaign groups

Feedback from the consultation showed that:

• respondents understood the rationale behind the scheme, however they emphasised the importance of keeping costs to billpayers down
• respondents were overall in favour of the scope of the infrastructure included in the scheme
• respondents largely agreed with the proposed functions of the scheme administrator
• some respondents disagreed with the scheme, instead expressing a preference for alternative ways of recognising communities living near new transmission infrastructure