Green GEN Cymru, part of the Bute Energy group, is announcing plans for Green GEN Towy Usk, a renewable energy network which will connect clean, green energy to the National Grid and help rural communities across Wales decarbonise heating, power and transport.
The project will link Bute Energy’s Nant Mithil Energy Park, which could generate around 237MW of clean, green energy in the Radnor Forest area, to the National Grid. And it will reduce pressure on the existing electricity grid, supporting green businesses and enabling green heating and the roll out of electric vehicles across rural Wales.
The project will also allow direct connection of community projects and support energy resilience. It has the potential to support technologies like 5G that could help farmers, schools and businesses to be at the cutting edge of technology while being based in a rural area. It will tackle both the energy crisis and the climate crisis, and empower rural communities through investment, jobs and skills, enabling communities across Wales to live modern electric lives, supporting the Welsh Government’s target for electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035.
The Green GEN Towy Usk proposal is for a new 132kV double-circuit overhead line, supported on steel pylons, between a substation at the Nant Mithil Energy Park in the Radnor Forest and a new substation on the existing National Grid 400kV transmission line between Carmarthen and Pont Abraham.
An initial round of public consultation will run from Monday 06 March 2023 to Friday 28 April 2023, with public exhibitions and webinars to allow people to have their say. Information will be shared with those living near the project, as well as with businesses and other organisations. Consultation events will be advertised in the local media and on the project website.
Gareth Williams, Grid Director at Bute Energy said:
“As a nation we’re in a climate emergency, and a cost-of-living crisis. Our supply of energy is threatened by world events. Yet there is endless potential for renewable energy in Wales – particularly from the wind that blows across our hills and mountains.
“Bute Energy is taking action now to help deliver clean green energy to our homes and businesses by developing the energy network in Wales. This will help tackle both the energy crisis and the climate crisis and make sure that local communities can live modern electric lives with less reliance on fossil fuels. It will also help support the Welsh Government’s target for electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035.
“We know that people have differing views on new infrastructure, and we are committed to doing everything we can to cause the least disturbance to the environment and those who live, work and enjoy recreation close to our proposals. We’d urge people to have their say on our plans so that we can develop the best solution for the environment and for communities across Wales.”
RenewableUK Cymru’s Director, Jessica Hooper said:
“Bute Energy’s expertise in onshore wind will help the renewable energy sector to grow even further. Companies like Bute Energy are at the forefront of Wales and the UK’s world-leading transition to Net Zero, attracting investment and creating highly skilled jobs throughout the country, as well as taking practical action against climate change.
“Grid constraints were identified as a barrier to renewable energy in a ‘Deep Dive’ commissioned by Welsh Government last year and it’s good to see action being taken by a number of our member companies, including Bute Energy, to respond to that. We will continue to work with our members, Welsh Government, National Grid, and the distribution network operators to identify and lobby for the anticipatory investment and change that needs to happen to enable renewable energy projects to be deployed at the pace that is required to meet our net zero ambitions here in Wales.”
You can find out more, and get your questions answered at one of the public exhibitions:
- Thursday 23 March, 2pm to 7.30pm, Montgomery Pavilion, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells LD2 3SY
- Saturday 25 March, 11am to 4pm, Llandeilo Fawr Civic Hall, 17 Crescent Road, Llandeilo SA19 6HW
- Tuesday 28 March, 2pm to 7.30pm, Penybont District Community Centre, Penybont, nr Llandrindod Wells LD1 5UA
- Wednesday 29 March, 2pm to 7.30pm, Llandovery Rugby Club, Church Bank, , Llandovery SA20 0BA
- Thursday 30 March, 2pm to 7.30pm, Llandyfaelog Community Hall, Carmarthenshire SA17 5PA
Online webinars will also be held. To find out more visit www.greengentowyusk.com.
In this first round of consultation, Bute Energy would like people’s views on their preferred overhead line route, and anything you would like them to consider when planning where the pylons should go. The company are also asking for suggestions for delivering a Community Benefit Fund to communities on the route. Following this round of public consultation, all feedback received will be carefully considered, along with reports from environmental and technical surveys, ahead of further public consultation.
New overhead lines of 132kV associated with a devolved generation station are classed as a Development of National Significance (DNS) in Wales. This means that developers must submit consent applications to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), and decisions are made by Welsh Ministers.
Bute Energy has a vision of a healthier, wealthier Wales that uses energy generation as a positive power for the world, for Wales, for local communities – for this and future generations. The company is based in Cardiff and is tackling the climate emergency by powering Wales with clean, green energy, and empowering our communities through investment, jobs and skills.
We plan to build wind and solar farms across Wales that will help achieve Government Net Zero targets, heat homes, power businesses, and charge Electric Vehicles. Onshore wind is one of the most cost-effective choices for new electricity in the UK – cheaper than gas, nuclear, coal and other renewables. This will reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels.
These energy generation projects are a partnership between Bute Energy and the people of Wales and will enable major financial investment in nearby communities. As a company based in Cardiff, we will maximise the use of supply chains in Wales and invest in local training schemes and apprenticeship opportunities to make a lasting impact.
Green GEN Towy Usk 
