A consultation has been launched today (Monday) on plans to build a power line across Powys, which will link a new windfarm to Wales' electricity grid.

The Green GEN Towy Usk proposal is for a new 132kV (132,000- volt) double-circuit overhead line, supported on steel pylons, between a substation on the Nant Mithil Energy Park (in the Radnor Forest area) and a new substation, to be developed by National Grid, on the existing 400kV (400,000-volt) transmission line near Llandyfaelog, between Carmarthen and Pont Abraham.

The project will link Bute Energy’s Nant Mithil Energy Park in the Radnor Forest area to the National Grid.

An initial round of public consultation will run from today until Friday, April 28.

You can find out more, and get your questions answered at one of the public exhibitions: 

• Thursday, March 23, 2pm to 7.30pm Montgomery Pavilion, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells LD2 3SY

• Saturday, March 25, 11am to 4pm Llandeilo Fawr Civic Hall, 17 Crescent Road, Llandeilo SA19 6HW

• Tuesday, March 28, 2pm to 7.30pm Penybont District Community Centre, Penybont, nr Llandrindod Wells LD1 5UA

• Wednesday, March 29, 2pm to 7.30pm Llandovery Rugby Club, Church Bank, , Llandovery SA20 0BA

• Thursday, March 30 , 2pm to 7.30pm Llandyfaelog Community Hall, Carmarthenshire SA17 5PA

Bute Energy has said that information will be shared with those living near the project, as well as with businesses and other organisations. 

Gareth Williams, Grid Director at Bute Energy said: "As a nation we’re in a climate emergency, and a cost-of-living crisis. Our supply of energy is threatened by world events. Yet there is endless potential for renewable energy in Wales – particularly from the wind that blows across our hills and mountains.

“Bute Energy is taking action now to help deliver clean green energy to our homes and businesses by developing the energy network in Wales. This will help tackle both the energy crisis and the climate crisis and make sure that local communities can live modern electric lives with less reliance on fossil fuels. It will also help support the Welsh Government’s target for electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035. 

“We know that people have differing views on new infrastructure, and we are committed to doing everything we can to cause the least disturbance to the environment and those who live, work and enjoy recreation close to our proposals. We’d urge people to have their say on our plans so that we can develop the best solution for the environment and for communities across Wales.”

RenewableUK Cymru’s Director, Jessica Hooper said: “Bute Energy’s expertise in onshore wind will help the renewable energy sector to grow even further.  Companies like Bute Energy are at the forefront of Wales and the UK’s world-leading transition to Net Zero, attracting investment and creating highly skilled jobs throughout the country, as well as taking practical action against climate change.

"Grid constraints were identified as a barrier to renewable energy in a ‘Deep Dive’ commissioned by Welsh Government last year and it’s good to see action being taken by a number of our member companies, including Bute Energy, to respond to that. We will continue to work with our members, Welsh Government, National Grid, and the distribution network operators to identify and lobby for the anticipatory investment and change that needs to happen to enable renewable energy projects to be deployed at the pace that is required to meet our net zero ambitions here in Wales.”

In this first round of consultation, Bute Energy would like people’s views on their preferred overhead line route, and anything you would like them to consider when planning where the pylons should go. The company are also asking for suggestions for delivering a Community Benefit Fund to communities on the route. Following this round of public consultation, all feedback received will be carefully considered, along with reports from environmental and technical surveys, ahead of further public consultation.

New overhead lines of 132kV associated with a devolved generation station are classed as a Development of National Significance (DNS) in Wales. This means that developers must submit consent applications to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), and decisions are made by Welsh Ministers. 

The standard height for a 132kv pylon is 27m. The average distance between pylons, or ‘span length’, is approximately 250m. Exact pylon heights and span lengths can be increased or decreased depending on the terrain they cross, or obstacles like streams and rivers.

Bute Energy says the project will link to its Nant Mithil Energy Park, which will reduce pressure on the existing electricity grid, support green businesses and enable green heating and the roll out of electric vehicles across rural Wales.

For more information on the plans you can visit: https://www.greengentowyusk.com/