The deal is for a test line of six pylons at National Grid’s Eakring Training Academy, making them the first T-pylons to be seen on the British landscape.

The pylon, designed by the Danish architects and engineers Bystrup, is a monopole with a T shaped cross arm. It is made up of fewer than 10 major sections and is designed for simple construction.

The new pylon is being touted as an alternative to the steel lattice pylon on new major projects which will be connecting up low carbon and renewable generation to the grid. However it is not seen as a replacement for existing pylons, and there may be places where the traditional design remains the best choice for new projects.

Mark Coia, managing director of Mabey Bridge Energy & Marine, said: “We are extremely proud to manufacture these exciting new electricity pylon designs for National Grid.

“Mabey Bridge helped construct the traditional lattice structures when Britain’s electricity grid was first connected during the last century, and this order confirms our world leading manufacturing processes to help meet the needs of 21st energy infrastructure.”

“We look forward to working with National Grid over the coming years as the prototype of the T-Pylon design is developed further to support Britain’s electricity grid.”

David Wright, director of electricity transmission asset management for National Grid, said: “The competition was held to find a design which would meet all our safety and reliability criteria and belong to the 21st century.

“The test line at Eakring will allow us to fully rehearse how we might construct and maintain the T-pylon when in use and this contract with Mabey Bridge marks the start of that journey.”