by Jonathan F Dean

North south pylons: a best estimate

A substation is planned at Llandyfaelog, south of Carmarthen, for several mid Wales wind farms as well as the Celtic Sea wind farms. This is now known as South Wales West Connection Node C and will be a green energy hub.

Lightsource have a wind/solar/storage project called Berthlwyd that will connect to a substation called Mid Wales Connection Node A which could be near Newbridge on Wye

The Carnedd Wen proposed wind farm near Mallwyd to the east of Dolgellau will connect to a substation called Mid Wales West but neither National Grid or Scottish Power will say where this is

The adjacent Esgair Ddu proposed windfarm doesn’t appear to have a connection agreement yet but will likely use Mid Wales West

Scottish Power still have a project, started in 2011 but put on hold, for a substation at Cefn Coch near Llanfair Caereinion to the north of Newtown for several wind farms

The Mynydd Mawr proposed wind farm at Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant to the west of Oswestry has been offered a connection agreement to the north south line

A substation is planned at Gwyddelwern, near Corwen, for a number of onshore wind farms to the west near Bala

Bodelwyddan is fast becoming another green energy hub with numerous offshore wind farms coming ashore there, as well as solar and storage projects, an interconnector to Ireland and a cable from Scotland

In addition, the routing of overhead transmission lines has to be according to the Holford Rules contained in National Policy Statement EN-5 which includes: avoiding national parks and other designated landscapes – this would make Pentir a difficult place but cause no problems for Bodelwyddan, using the most direct route possible, using valleys as “transmission corridors”