THE ISSUE OF pylons has been in a big issue in Ireland over the last two years. There have been heated debates around Eirgrid’s plans to build electricity pylons in Ireland.
The momentum of groups protesting against the construction of large pylons in their areas has been continuous, with locals unhappy that they will impact on the environment, their health and property prices.
Power lines
Campaigners have pushed for the cables to be put under ground, in what the government claims is a higher cost. Eirgrid says that no decision has been made on whether the Grid West or Grid Link projects will be developed using underground or overhead technology.
Some countries have decided to think outside the box when it comes to the design of pylons, which can often be classed as an eyesore in the landscape.
These designs by Choi + Shine have won multiple awards for transforming the mundane electrical pylons into statues on the Icelandic landscape.
The architects of the design said that by making only minor alterations to well established steel-framed tower design, they have created a series of towers that are “powerful, solemn and variable”.
They said the pylon-figures will become an “unforgettable experience, elevating the towers to something more than merely a functional design of necessity”.
These designs by Design Depot in Russia are designed to fit naturally into the landscape, they explained.
The UK have also challenged people’s perception about what a pylon must look like, by holding a design competition in 2011.
The shortlist included these talented designs:
Irish power lines
TheJournal.ie asked Eirgrid would they be considering any designs of this type for any future pylons that get the go ahead.
“We do pay close attention to developments in this space,” they said, adding:
In our examination of other designs, factors which are considered include technical and functional performance, whether they can be built or maintained efficiently, cost and overall design.
These are some of the different designs Eirgrid are examining for use in the Irish transmission system.
Having seen these great feats of engineering, what do you think now?
If the designer pylons like that in Iceland or Russia were coming to your area would you be more likely to accept them?
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