Notice of Motion - Seeking a technical evaluation of undergrounding power cables from energy parks

Motion as voted upon

It is widely recognised that the U.K needs more wind and solar farms and nuclear power in the coming years to meet low-carbon energy targets and the demand on the grid will only increase the more transport, industry, and domestic heating are electrified to reduce carbon emissions.



Renewable energy trade body RenewableUK Cymru said Wales needed to quadruple its wind power in just over a decade in order to stay on track to meet the Welsh Government's target for electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035. ( https://www.renewableuk-cymru.com/wp-content/uploads/Future-Energy-Wales-The-Critical-Role-of-Welsh-Wind-Power.pdf)



In recent months Green GEN Cymru have announced plans for two sets of pylons to link proposed energy Parks in Powys to the national grid further afield. Such plans are potentially controversial locally and will be decided as Developments of National Significance (DNS) by a Government appointed body PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales)



The Welsh Government are on record as saying “Updating Wales' grid is essential if we are to have an energy system fit for purpose in the long term. Our planning policy states that wherever possible lines should be laid underground" to reduce visual impact.



This is a reasonable proposition caveated by it being the best and most appropriate, cost-effective solution available. There will be, most people recognise, circumstances where new overhead cables will be the right solution. The sector highlight that the “technical specification for underground cables is likely to be more substantial, costly and environmentally disruptive to maintain and repair”, but are committed to work with the government to find an acceptable way forward.



In November, climate change Minister Julie James MS, said that establishing whether cable-ploughing was technically possible for the largest power lines would be important in understanding whether 'undergrounding' could be more extensively adopted. This is a sensible approach ahead of such proposals being tabled for determination. As Such:



This Council resolves to:

1. Call on the Welsh Government to commission an independent study, with comparative trials as appropriate, into the technical viability of cable ploughing being deployed extensively for the largest power lines to serve the energy parks arising from the Government’s renewable energy plans for the county, to minimise ongoing visual impacts.