James Evans says there is concern over the prospect of electricity pylons being erected “right the way through” his constituency.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MS asked at the Senedd how the Welsh Government is supporting communities affected by wind energy proposals.

He said many of his constituents are very concerned about proposals by Green GEN Cymru to erect pylons through his constituency and those of other Members.

Mr Evans told First Minister, Eluned Morgan: “The Welsh Government set up an independent advisory body to look at the cost analysis of overgrounding and undergrounding cables.

“Many people would have thought that the analysis would have been done by now and that that data would have been published. Can you provide an update on when that data is going to be published?

“And, when it is, will the Government send it for independent academic analysis to make sure that everything has been looked at independently to make sure that nothing is skewed one way for one proposal over another?”

Ms Morgan said the Government supports new renewable energy projects to boost UK energy security, create jobs and attract new green industries to Wales.

She told Mr Evans: “Developers need to involve communities to deliver projects and impacts on communities and the environment, and they are considered through the planning system.

“I know there's a lot of concern in certain communities about proposals in relation to energy grids.

“That's one of the reasons that we've established this energy grid advisory board, and they will be reporting very soon.

“One of the things that obviously they have been considering is the fact that we need to see an increase in the amount of energy produced in Wales.

“Estimates suggest we'll need three times as much electricity by 2050 as we do today. That’s got to come from somewhere, and it's got to be transported one way or another.”

Ms Morgan said it is “absolutely right” that the Government looks at what is the best way to transport this energy, and it has to do that in a way that is sensitive.

She told Mr Evans: “I had a conversation with WindEurope last week to talk about how they do it on the continent, so we will be doing further studies in relation to that.

“But you're quite right. I spoke to the company as well and emphasised that any analysis they do needs to be independently verified.”