Protecting our Landscape from Large Scale Pylons
Updated: January 2025
Many people have contacted me with their concerns about Bute Energy and Green GEN Cymru’s plans to develop new windfarms, a substation and grid infrastructure within Montgomeryshire.
Green GEN Cymru have proposed building a substation, which would connect energy parks through large lattice pylons, and a new 132kv overhead line through parts of North Powys. This would be linked to the main grid connection in Shropshire.
Many will remember previous large-scale windfarm proposals over a decade ago, where our communities reacted in force against the total lack of consideration and empathy for residents and landscapes shown by National Grid and developers. It is vital that renewable energy companies ensure that they take communities with them, rather than imposing projects upon Mid Wales.
I have attended several public meetings on this during 2024. It is important that people keep attending public meetings, consultation events and respond to consultations.
It is vital that, as our power needs increase and more renewable power sources come online (such as farm scale renewables), that we do have improved grid connections. However, the line proposed would do little to help such projects in Mid Wales.
These proposals specifically refer to an overhead as opposed to an underground connection. It is important to keep in mind that undergrounding cables is also not without its issues. I have serious concerns about the proposed pylon lines through the Vyrnwy Valley and other areas, which I have raised in the Senedd on many occasions. Ministers have stated to me that Welsh Government’s policy is that there should be underground not overground transmission, however the guidance around this states that a balanced view must be taken against costs which would render otherwise acceptable projects unviable. I have been calling on Welsh Government for some time to update its Planning Policy Wales document so that the undergrounding of new infrastructure for conveying electricity should be an absolute rather than a preferred position, and that the policy should state ‘New power lines should be laid underground’. In 2024, I took part in a debate in the Senedd calling again for the Welsh Government to update its policy to reflect that new power lines should be laid underground but sadly the Welsh Labour Government voted against the motion.
Furthermore, the size of newly proposed wind turbines is a concern. Using huge offshore scale turbines onshore is not appropriate and the industrialisation of our landscape with large-scale windfarms and pylons criss-crossing Mid Wales hills and valleys is not acceptable.
I have also been alarmed by reports that Bute Energy subsidiaries have been illegally accessing land within Montgomeryshire without consent or legal permission. In addition to this, several landowners during 2024 were issued with notices demanding access to land and properties in order to carry out surveys for proposed pylon routes. These are issues I took up directly with Bute and GreenGEN and I will continue to raise matters that are brought to my attention. July (2024), Ofgem granted GreenGEN a licence to allow them to now develop, own and operate a 132kV electricity distribution network in Wales which means they are now legally able to progress their plans. Montgomeryshire Against Pylons (MAP) is active in regard to proposals for pylons across the area and can provide support. I have recently attended a MAP meeting and I remain happy to work with MAP and others to add pressure to bring any influence on Welsh Government as I am able. MAP can be contacted at [email protected] .
Mynydd Mawr Energy Park
I have significant concern about the proposed Mynydd Mawr Energy Park, with the developer Galileo empower, proposing to build windfarms up to 230 metres in an area of currently unspoiled landscape.
Using huge offshore scale turbines onshore is not appropriate and the industrialisation of our landscape with large-scale windfarms, with pylons criss-crossing Mid Wales hills and valleys is not acceptable.
These are only early and draft plans, but the concern in the Tanat Valley area is clear.
The people of Montgomeryshire have fought hard over the past decade to campaign against large scale pylons to protect our beautiful landscape. We must be ready to oppose any further inappropriate plans.