ScottishPower Energy Networks will shortly start the process of consulting local communities about proposals to connect a number of new windfarm projects in Mid Wales to the electricity grid.

The project is being considered in parallel with proposals from National Grid who will construct a new substation and a new transmission connection to the existing national electricity grid. The final location of the proposed National Grid substation – which is also subject to consultation – will determine the broad outline of the routes required for ScottishPower’s connections.

The company will therefore consult on two different proposals, taking into account the two potential locations of National Grid’s substation. Each of the proposals will involve the construction of three 132kV overhead power lines. The proposed overhead lines are designed to connect approximately 700MW of renewable electricity from at least 10 windfarms in the TAN 8 development area to National Grid’s transmission network. 

Details of public information days will be published next week (10th March).  At this stage SP Energy Networks does not have pre-determined preferred routes, and the company will be considering broad corridors areas. The consultation process and input from local communities will help to establish a preferred route, which will then be subject to further consultation.

A dedicated bilingual website to keep residents and local stakeholders informed of the proposals will be available from March 10th at www.spmidwalesconnections.info.

ScottishPower Energy Networks Project Manager, Steven Edwards, said: “There are currently proposals for 700MW of new renewable energy generation from at least 10 windfarms in Mid Wales. This is a significant level of new electricity generation, and requires new infrastructure for it to connect to the main grid. As the local electricity distribution company we have an obligation to carry out the work required to connect these projects.

“Rather than connecting each windfarm with an individual power line, we believe that the construction of three new lines in total will support all of the developments in the area and help to minimise overall impacts.  

“It is also important our consultation process is run in tandem with National Grid, as the options available through each consultation can only be fully appreciated in the context of the overall scheme to connect the new windfarms. We are committed to public engagement and are keen to understand the views of local communities who can help to influence the project design at the outset and continue to do so as the project evolves.

“We will be working closely with National Grid throughout this process, and we hope to hear from as many people as possible during the consultation period.”
 

Media Information: Paul Ferguson, 0141 566 4515 / 07702 665 924
 

Notes to editors:

• ScottishPower Energy Networks owns and operates the electricity transmission and distribution network in the south of Scotland and the distribution network in Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales.


• As the network operator we maintain and repair the electrical equipment and network assets that transport electricity to around 3.5 million homes and business.


• We manage approximately 115,000 km of power lines and over 90,000 substations across our network areas.