REVISED DRAFT ROUTE
You may be aware that last week, Green Gen Cymru announced their reviewed proposals for the route between Llandyfaelog and Nant Mithil.
The redrafted proposal includes a single-circuit overhead line supported on wood poles from the proposed Nant Mithil Energy Park to a new switching station south of the A481 at the foot of Aberedw Hill, and a section of underground cable where the route crosses the River Tywi near Llanarthne. There have also been some alterations to the route in other places.
A full, interactive map of the revised draft route alignment is available on the Green Gen Cymru website below:
https://www.greengentowyusk.com/index.php?contentid=13
SECOND CONSULTATION
The second, non-statutory consultation on the draft route alignment for Towy Usk is open from Wednesday 13 March to Wednesday 8 May 2024.
Full details regarding the consultation process, including public meetings and feedback form can be found on the Green Gen Tywi Usk website – and we encourage all residents to take part in the consultation, and ensure that concerns regarding the proposed pylon route are voiced to Green Gen. A full list of the community event sessions is available below.
https://www.greengentowyusk.com/index.php?contentid=27
UNDERGROUNDING
Whilst we welcome Green Gen Cymru’s proposals to underground a small section of the route near the River Tywi in Llanarthne, we continue to believe the entire route should be undergrounded – learning from best practice in other parts of the UK and Europe.
Last month, Cefin Campbell MS challenged the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, on undergrounding, referencing both the proposed Tywi Usk and Tywi Teifi pylon routes. In his contribution, Cefin also drew attention to the merits of cable ploughing as an alternative to overhead cables – considered by many as a more cost effective, and less disruptive means of transmitting electricity.
In the First Minister’s response to Cefin Campbell’s question, he confirmed “that electricity transmission cables should be placed underground where possible, not just in designated landscapes, but where possible” however it is clear that the Welsh Government and stakeholders should be doing more to put this policy into practice. A link to Cefin’s question can be found below:
https://www.facebook.com/cefincampbellplaid/videos/277529775381447
During a meeting between Adam Price, Cefin Campbell and Welsh Government’s Climate Change Minister, Julie James MS, we also pressed for an independent review into the cost of putting electricity cables underground instead of pylons – which would allow us to better understand the policy framework that will form the basis of future decision making in Wales regarding energy developments.
As part of the recent discussions and debate in the Senedd on the Infrastructure Wales Bill, Adam Price has also tabled amendments looking to strengthen the government’s policy on undergrounding and ensuring that Significant Infrastructure Projects would require a minimum percentage of community ownership, retaining local people’s voices as an integral part of the consenting process.
We will continue to make the case for undergrounding the proposed Tywi Usk route, and will continue to press on Green Gen Cymru, Welsh Government and stakeholders surrounding the merits of undergrounding.
We encourage you to take part in the consultation and ensure the case for the undergrounding of this route continues to be made.
Kind regards,
Adam Price
Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen East & Dinefwr
Cefin Campbell
Member of the Senedd for Mid & West Wales
https://caerfyrddin.partyof.wales/