Plans to erect wind turbines and pylons across Powys as part of a major gree energy project "do not work for our part of the world", an MP has said.

Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones last week said local communities are “dead against” Bute Energy's plans to construct a network of pylons and renewable energy parks throughout the county.

Ms Jones said the issue is galvanising local communities, including Builth Wells, where she held an open surgery and Q&A session with more than 60 people last month.

The event took place on Wednesday, September 20, at the Greyhound Hotel, with Ms Jones keen to get back to business following the House of Commons’ most recent recess.

County Times: Fay Jones, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, has said Bute Energy proposals “simply do not work for our part of the world”. Fay Jones, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, has said Bute Energy proposals “simply do not work for our part of the world”.

One of the major concerns for locals is the Nant Mithil Energy Park project in the Radnor Forest.

Green GEN Cymru, part of the Bute Energy group, wants to build up to 20 renewable energy parks across Wales, along with associated infrastructure.

Its proposed flagship project, Nant Mithil, near Llandegley, would include 36 turbines, each 220 metres tall, plus a new electricity substation linked via an overhead power line to the grid in Carmarthenshire 60 miles away.

“I very much see it as my role to listen to what my communities tell me and overwhelmingly, that night, they were absolutely dead against the plans that have been put forward by Bute Energy in their current form,” Ms Jones told the County Times.

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“The proposals for huge wind turbines in the Radnor Forest, as well as a 60-mile network of pylons, are causing deep anxiety right across Breconshire, and Radnorshire and people want to see these rethought.

“It would be right through the heart of Breconshire and Radnorshire, which is a massive concern.

“There are people from all walks of life who are really worried about this. Whether it’s tourism, farming, hoteliers, publicans, people who work on the Royal Welsh Showground or parents of kids at Llanelwedd Primary School who could find themselves encircled by pylons.

“This is really galvanising the community, people are really concerned.”

She added: “Everyone wants to play their part in renewable energy. I know they want to play their part in meeting our renewable energy challenge, we’re all committed to that.

“But this project in the way it’s currently phrased and planned simply does not work. The plans that have been put forward simply do not work for our part of the world.”

County Times: Locals peruse Bute Energy proposals at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd back in March. Locals peruse Bute Energy proposals at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd back in March. (Image: Matt Jones)

Green GEN Cymru said more than 2,500 people took part in an initial round of consultation on proposals earlier this year, with public exhibitions held in Builth and Penybont in March and three others held in other parts of Mid Wales.

Gareth Williams, grid director at Bute Energy, said: “There is endless potential for renewable energy in Wales, particularly from the wind that blows across our hills and mountains.

“But we know that people have differing views on new infrastructure and we are focused on causing the least disturbance to the environment and those who live, work and enjoy recreation close to our proposals.”

Bute Energy is now considering the feedback received, along with assessments from environmental and technical surveys, and say the next round of public consultation is expected to take place in early 2024.