Abstract: A method of protecting steel in a reinforced concrete element is disclosed. The reinforced concrete of the element contains an electrolyte. The method involves providing a primary anode, which is a sacrificial anode, and providing a secondary anode, which is connected to a positive terminal of at least one source of direct current, ‘DC’, power. The primary anode and secondary anode are arranged to have an ionic connection with the steel in the reinforced concrete element via the electrolyte. The primary anode is connected to the steel in the reinforced concrete element using an electron conductor. The negative terminal of the source of DC power is connected to the steel in the reinforced concrete element using an electron conductor.