January 15, 2013
Wales

Denbighshire pylon and sub-station consultation extended

BBC News | 14 January 2013 | www.bbc.co.uk

Energy firm ScottishPower Manweb is extending its consultation on plans to connect a number of new wind farms in Denbighshire to the electricity grid.

The firm wants feedback on proposals to build a corridor of pylons to a new sub-station in St Asaph.

It is working with four developers who are behind wind farms at Clocaenog, Brenig, Nant Bach and Derwedd Bach.

The extended consultation starts on Monday at Eirianfa Community Centre in Denbigh and runs until 1 February.

The extension of the first stage of consultation follows feedback from local communities, says ScottishPower Manweb.

The company said north Wales had been identified as an important location for renewable energy sites.

ScottishPower Manweb wants to build a corridor of 132,000 volt pylons which will take power from wind farms to the sub-station in St Asaph.

The company said: “SP Manweb will be carrying out consultation with people living in the vicinity of the proposed development about options for connecting to the existing electricity network.

“The first consultation stage will involve consulting on strategic options for the connection and broad route corridor options.”

It said it would take into account landscape and would consider the use of underground cables, overhead lines or a combination of the two.

“We recognise that public preference is generally for connections to be placed underground because this creates less visual impact, but this is just one of many issues which we have to consider,” the company said.

It said the first stage would help determine route options.

“The consultation process and input from local communities will help to establish a preferred route, which will then be subject to further consultation.”

Plans to build an electricity sub-station in neighbouring Powys has provoked strong opposition to wind farms.

About 1,500 campaigners gathered at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay in May 2011 against the proposals, which also include a corridor of pylons from 10 planned wind farms.

Meanwhile, Powys council has opposed a number of recent wind farm planning applications.

Elsewhere in north Wales, National Grid is inviting views on its plans to bring power from offshore wind farms and Wylfa B into the electricity network in the next 10 to 15 years.

Five initial proposals include laying cables under sea to Deeside or burying power lines from Anglesey underground.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/15/denbighshire-pylon-and-sub-station-consultation-extended/