PLANS for a power line crossing Powys and linking a new windfarm with Wales' energy network are being put to the public from today (Monday, March 6).
An initial round of public consultation on the Green GEN Towy Usk, a renewable energy network which will connect energy to the National Grid – and includes the Nant Mithil Energy Park currently being considered for construction in the Radnor Forest – will run from today until Friday, April 28.
There will be five public exhibitions during the consultation period, including two in Powys. The first will be at the Royal Welsh Showground’s Montgomery Pavilion, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, from 2pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, March 23; the second will be held at Penybont and District Community Centre, also from 2-7.30pm, on Thursday, March 28.
Other public exhibitions are being held in Llandovery, Llandeilo and Carmarthen. Online webinars will also be held, which you can find out more about at www.greengentowyusk.com.
The Green GEN Towy Usk proposal is for a new 132kV double-circuit overhead line, supported on steel pylons, between a substation at Nant Mithil and a new substation on the existing National Grid line between Carmarthen and Pont Abraham, south of Ammanford.
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."
He added: “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, added: “Grid constraints were identified as a barrier to renewable energy in a ‘deep dive’ commissioned by the 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.”
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.
It says it will also tackle the energy and climate crises and empower rural communities through investment, jobs and skills, enabling communities across Wales to live modern electric lives, and support the Welsh Government’s 2035 target.
In this first round of consultation, Bute Energy wants 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 is also asking for suggestions for delivering a community benefit fund to communities on the route.
Plans for the new 36-turbine wind farm in the middle of the Radnor Forest were first announced in September 2022, with public exhibitions held in New Radnor and Penybont.
The proposed Nant Mithil site is between Penybont and New Radnor, near Llandegley.
The current site is used for pasture grazing with hilltop moorland and small blocks of forestry. It is near to Water Breaks Its Neck – a waterfall and trail popular with walkers – as well as the Radnor Range, an MOD site for testing weapons, ordnance, munitions and explosives.
It is estimated the energy park could generate up to 235 megawatts (MW) of wind energy - equivalent to the annual electricity needs of 200,000 homes.
The development will include an electrical substation and control building, underground power cables, anemometer masts, site access tracks, habitat management and, where necessary, off-site highways improvements – including a new bridge over the River Wye.
They could also include solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage.
Bute Energy is currently reviewing feedback from its earlier engagement study in late 2022 and further consultation on Nant Mithil will take place this summer.
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