A public consultation on a scheme to link a wind energy park with the national grid through pylons in Ceredigion has been launched.
The Green GEN Towy Teifi project will link Bute Energy’s proposed Lan Fawr Energy Park, just north of Lampeter, into a new National Grid substation proposed for south of Carmarthen.
Lan Fawr Energy Park is currently being developed by Bute Energy; with up to 40 wind turbines, it could generate up to 264MW of electricity, enough to power 174,000 to 251,000 homes per year.
The Green GEN Towy Teifi project proposes a new 52km-long 132kV overhead line to connect Lan Fawr Energy Park to the substation.
“This new overhead line is vital for the region, and with the benefit of local strategic connections, could not only reduce pressure on the existing grid but also pave the way for sustainable heating solutions and electric vehicle rollout,” said Gren GEN.
A public consultation is running to March 6, featuring six public events for in-depth discussions and feedback opportunities.
Green GEN Cymru is also asking for ideas on areas in the local communities along the route that people feel could benefit from investment from the Bute Energy Community Benefit Fund associated with the Lan Fawr Energy Park, with £7,500 committed to the fund for every MW of installed capacity.
Gareth Williams, Grid Director at Bute Energy, emphasises the urgency of this initiative: "In facing a climate emergency and cost-of-living crisis, it's imperative that we act swiftly to harness Wales' renewable energy potential. This project is more than infrastructure; it's a commitment to ensuring that Welsh communities thrive in an electric future, with reduced reliance on fossil fuels and overseas energy providers."
The development, in its first phase before a formal application is submitted, is classified as a Development of National Significance in Wales.
Carmarthenshire MP Jonathan Edwards has raised concerns about the proposed pylons.
Mr Edwards said: “It is clear that stronger legislation is needed from the Welsh Government to get to grips with the energy transmission and generation infrastructure. Instead of the current situation where every developer needs their own distribution line, surely it is time that companies get together to cable plough these lines with minimum disruption to local communities.
“It is currently a complete wild west whereby developers are determining lines based on their own priorities. I continue to call for the cable ploughing technique to be used in future developments – as I campaigned successfully for with the previous Brechfa development whereby part of that line was cable ploughed, as determined by the UK Government at the time.
“The role of the Welsh Government and the Welsh Parliament is to protect the interest of Wales and its communities. It is seriously time Welsh Ministers and Members of the Senedd upped their game”.
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