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The project will be the first scheme to use the new T-pylon, which resulted from a competition held in 2011 by the Royal Institute of British Architects, DECC and National Grid to explore the potential for a new generation of pylon design.
The new design is a monopole with a T-shaped cross arm – hence the name T-pylon – designed to carry the highest voltage 400,000 volt lines that are needed for the Hinkley Point connection project in Somerset.
The T-pylon beat more than 200 other entries in the design competition because of its arrangement of electrical components meant it could be lower than the equivalent steel lattice pylon, reducing its impact on the landscape. It is made up of fewer than 10 major sections and is designed for simple construction.
There is still no start date given for the £14bn nuclear power station construction project, however. Majority shareholder Électricité de France (EDF) sold a 33.5% stake in the project to China General Nuclear Corporation in October 2015 but is still looking to reduce its 66.5% shareholding further.
EDF chairman Jean-Bernard Lévy said back in October: “We are planning for a final investment decision within weeks so that we can move forward with construction.”
That was 14 weeks ago.
EDF directors have a board meeting in France on 27th January. A decision might or might not be made then.
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