Thousands of households to get £250 discount on their energy bills – find out if you’re eligible

THE first areas where households are set to get a £250 yearly discount on their energy bills have been revealed. The Government has said it will offer the discounts to homes located close to new pylons and energy grid infrastructure being built. Households close to new energy infrastructure are being offered £250 discounts on their bills Credit: PA A total of 43 projects will be included in the scheme, the Energy Department (Desnz) has said. Those living within 500 metres of the new or upgraded overhead transmission lines will start receiving money off their bills in the first half of next year. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Desnz said they could ultimately get £2,500 off their electricity bills over 10 years through the discounts. Some of the projects included in the scheme are National Grid transmission infrastructure from Bramford to Twinstead in East Anglia, the North London Reinforcement project and the Emmock substation in north east Scotland. Read more on energy bills Roughly two-thirds of the projects are in Scotland, but others are north of London and in East Anglia, the Midlands and North Wales. Projects where construction started on or after March 10, 2025 will be eligible. More than 100,000 households are expected to benefit from the scheme in the coming decades. Most qualifying households will get the discount automatically on their electricity bill every six months through their energy supplier. Most read in Money Officials said they will be directly contacted by their energy supplier or Ofgem with further information in the first half of 2027. However some people, such as those on commercial meters, will need to apply. Some critics have argued the discounts are not enough compensation for homeowners who will see impacts on their homes, neighbourhoods and the environment. They say residents will be dealing with noise, road closures and heavy traffic. Energy developers have also offered financial packages to communities hosting new infrastructure since last year. Ministers have said replacing and upgrading decades-only infrastructure is needed to improve energy security and move towards renewable power. Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Upgrading Britain’s electricity grid is a vital part of how we deliver secure, homegrown energy and unlock economic growth across the country. “It is a moment of national renewal – upgrading what was built largely in the 1960s for the modern age and is our route to bringing down electricity bills for households across the country. “It’s vital we build again as a country and we are determined those communities which host pylons should benefit, which is why we’re bringing down the energy bills of those hosting this vital national infrastructure.” Neil Lawrence, Ofgem executive director for delivery and schemes, said: “Communities that host new electricity transmission infrastructure are playing a vital role in delivering the cleaner, more secure energy system Britain needs.” He said the energy regulator would ensure payments are “delivered effectively, fairly and transparently to eligible customers”. Comment now