Campaigners warn that new power lines will disrupt stunning Welsh landscapes
These high-voltage lines are meant to connect the north and south of Wales, part of a big upgrade to the electricity grid. The goal is to handle energy from wind turbines that Miliband wants to roll out by 2030.
But folks are worried. They fear these towering pylons will ruin the breathtaking views in mid-Wales, where there’s already a lot of noise about proposed wind farms.
Jonathan Dean from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales said these pylons would go through some of the most stunning areas, which are currently untouched. He pointed out that this kind of development hasn’t happened before because it wasn’t needed.
He believes mid-Wales doesn’t need this much electricity, and it feels like it’s being forced on them just so Scotland can send power south.
The new power line is part of a plan by the National Energy System Operator (Neso) and is seen as essential for the future. However, Neso recently said it might not be ready until 2037, which is a bit of a letdown.
No specific route has been set yet, but it would connect North Wales to South Wales, moving electricity from Scottish wind farms to cities like Swansea and Cardiff.
The line would likely run through the Cambrian Mountains, a beautiful area that conservationists have been trying to protect for decades. They’ve been pushing for it to be designated as a national park, but so far, no luck.
People love hiking there, but without legal protections, it’s vulnerable. Campaigners are suggesting an undersea cable instead, which would be less disruptive.
But that option might not sit well with the government, as it could cost more. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that spending extra on burying cables isn’t in line with lowering energy bills.
A spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said that improving infrastructure is key to securing clean energy. They acknowledged that any proposals will go through a strict planning process.
They also mentioned that while subsea cabling is pricier, they want to ensure local communities benefit from new energy projects.
The National Grid is still looking at possible routes and plans to share their findings with the community for feedback.
Meanwhile, people in mid-Wales are already upset about several proposed wind farms in the Elenydd area. One project, the Esgair Galed Energy Park, plans to build 26 massive wind turbines near protected nature reserves, which has raised serious concerns among local wildlife groups.
