Living Under High Voltage Cables

The current economic situation limits the government to act on the situation of people who live near high voltage cables. However, Minister Henk Kamp (Economic Affairs) announced onWednesday that no more than 400 residents, who lived directly under power lines, could get a buy-out offer. There are people who live under high voltage cables of 220 and 380 kilovolt (which technically cannot be put underground) and people in rural areas, living under power lines of 110 and 150 kilovolt. The costs related to this buy-out scheme are estimated at 140 million euro. Kamp also maintains that existing power lines must, as much as possible, be put underground. By 2017, these two measures will be effected. Because of the current budget, he sees no possibility to immediately start these projects (costs 580 million euro). Within 15 years, 135 kilometers of existing power lines, of 110 and 150 kilovolt, in towns and cities will be put underground (costs 440 million euro). The municipalities involved will pay a quarter of the amount. Network manager TenneT will charge the remaining 330 million euro as transmission fees for energy.