Climate

Calls for all new power lines to be placed underground narrowly rejected

Published

2 years ago

June 14, 2024

THE SENEDD narrowly rejected calls for all new power lines to be placed underground.

Adam Price led a debate on a Plaid Cymru motion to make it mandatory for all new electricity distribution lines to be underground rather than overhead pylons.

He explained that current Welsh Government policy says new power lines should be laid underground but it includes a caveat on cost grounds.

Mr Price warned the policy is not working as intended, saying: “As long as the caveat exists, developers will always exploit it and build pylons as their preferred option.”

He said this has been a catalyst for a “rash of proposals for long-range pylon lines traversing large swathes of our country”, including in his Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency.

Mr Price urged the Welsh Government to mandate underground power lines, following the example of other European countries.

He said Denmark has reaped the benefits of a more rapid path to decarbonisation, with public opposition to renewables much more muted as a result of undergrounding.

The former Plaid Cymru leader said underground cables do not spoil the landscape, are cheaper to maintain and more reliable, with reduced outages improving grid resilience.

He added that they are less susceptible to storms and high winds – “a phenomenon that will become more important in future as climate change-induced extreme weather increases”.

Mr Price welcomed a review but said: “If we want to prevent the kind of mass pylonisation that much of our country is currently facing, then we can’t afford to wait for the outcome.”

Mark Isherwood, for the Conservatives, told the chamber his party would support the motion, agreeing that the wording in Planning Policy Wales needs to be toughened up.

The North Wales MS said Welsh ministers need to be stronger in following guidance rather than allowing arguments of cost to justify “circumvention” of planning policies.

He stressed that the health impact of undergrounding near homes must be considered.

Russell George, the Tory MS for Montgomeryshire, raised concerns about overproliferation of windfarms and power lines “thundering” through the hills of Mid Wales.

Sian Gwenllian, the Plaid Cymru MS for Arfon, warned the caveat allows costs to take precedence over environmental, social and aesthetic factors.

She said: “By removing the cost-based caveat, we can prioritise the long-term benefits of underground power lines, we can protect our landscapes, and, vitally, we can gain the public support needed to achieve our climate goals.”

Julie James, who is responsible for planning, said the Welsh Government and opposition are not miles apart but she took issue with the “problematic” wording of the motion.

The local government secretary said: “The only real difference in this motion today is that we differ on whether it’s appropriate to mandate all cables to be underground where possible.”

Ms James told the chamber the words “where possible” are important “because it is physically possible to do it in places where I think we’d all agree we don’t want”.

The former lawyer acknowledged that the Welsh Government needs to “tighten up what we mean by ‘unaffordable’ in a very big way”.

Ms James said Jeremy Miles, who is responsible for energy, has set up an independent advisory group and Planning Policy Wales will be updated to reflect its review.

Cefin Campbell, who represents Mid and West Wales, warned Wales’ beautiful landscape is being “sacrificed on the altar of profit”.

“We must underground these cables,” he said. “In doing so, we as a Senedd will be taking a strong stance to protect the natural beauty and the ecology of our unique landscapes.”

He told the meeting on June 12 that the extra upfront cost of undergrounding cables is a small price to pay for preservation of the landscape.

With the vote tied 25-25, David Rees – the Senedd’s deputy speaker or Dirprwy Lywydd – broke the deadlock by using his casting vote against the motion.

Under the Senedd’s rules, the chair was required to vote to maintain the status quo.

Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and Jane Dodds, the Lib Dems’ leader in Wales, backed the motion, while Labour backbenchers and ministers voted against.

Climate

Offshore wind offers ‘positive route’ for Wales’ energy future

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Countryside charity says renewables must be built in the right places

A WELSH countryside charity has backed offshore wind as a major opportunity for Wales, saying it can deliver clean energy, skilled jobs and coastal regeneration without putting unnecessary pressure on rural landscapes.

CPRW, The Welsh Countryside Charity, said comments by Cabinet Minister Adam Price in support of offshore wind marked a positive direction for Wales’ renewable energy future.

The charity said offshore wind offered one of the clearest ways for Wales to meet its future electricity needs while reducing pressure for large-scale onshore developments in sensitive upland areas, peatlands, productive farmland and rural communities.

The issue has become increasingly prominent across Wales as communities respond to major renewable energy proposals, including new-generation wind turbines, pylons, substations and grid infrastructure.

CPRW said it supported the transition to renewable energy, but argued that Wales needed a planned national strategy rather than a system which left rural communities reacting to speculative applications.

The Welsh Government has also identified offshore wind as a key economic opportunity, particularly around ports, supply chains, manufacturing, maintenance, skills and long-term energy infrastructure.

Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea is seen as especially important for south west Wales, with Milford Haven and Port Talbot both linked to future green energy and port development.

Dr Jonathan Dean, CPRW energy specialist, said: “Adam Price is making some very encouraging noises. Wales absolutely needs renewable energy, but we also need to be strategic about where it goes.

“Offshore wind has the potential to revitalise the economy in both north and south Wales, with genuine long-term service and support jobs linked to ports, maintenance, skills and supply chains.

“It can deliver clean electricity at the scale Wales needs, without forcing unnecessary trade-offs with our most valued landscapes, upland peat, rare habitats and rural communities.

“This should be the direction of travel for Wales: ambitious, strategic and offshore-led.”

CPRW said Wales must ensure that renewable energy development brings lasting benefit to Welsh communities, rather than simply exporting power and profit elsewhere.

Jonty Colchester, Chair of CPRW, said: “CPRW strongly supports the transition to renewable energy, but it must be planned properly and in the public interest.

“Offshore wind gives Wales a major opportunity to lead: creating skilled jobs, supporting coastal communities and delivering clean energy, while helping to protect the countryside and landscapes that are central to our national identity.

“We welcome the Minister’s comments and urge Welsh Government to put offshore wind, marine energy, grid modernisation and Welsh supply-chain benefit at the heart of a clear national energy strategy.”

The charity said offshore wind should sit alongside marine energy, grid upgrades and stronger community benefit arrangements.

It added that a strategic approach was needed to protect landscapes, nature and rural communities while still delivering the scale of clean power needed for the future.

CPRW, formerly known as the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, has worked for nearly 100 years to protect rural landscapes and promote sustainable development.

Climate

Offshore wind ‘could bring new generation of jobs to Milford Haven’

Published

3 days ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire ports and Celtic Sea projects placed at centre of Wales’ green energy ambitions

MILFORD HAVEN and Pembroke Dock could be at the heart of a new offshore wind boom after Wales’ new energy minister said the sector could drive jobs, investment and coastal regeneration.

Adam Price, the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, told the Global Offshore Wind 2026 conference that Wales was “open for business” and ready to work with industry, the UK Government and The Crown Estate.

For Pembrokeshire, the announcement is particularly significant. The Milford Haven Waterway is already being positioned as a key base for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, with Pembroke Port earmarked as a major renewables hub. Plans for a dedicated floating offshore wind storage compound at Pembroke Dock have already secured planning permission.

Mr Price said: “I believe that the offshore wind sector has the potential to deliver high quality sustainable career opportunities for people in Wales.

“The offshore wind sector has a key role to play in bringing about the regeneration of coastal communities in both north and south Wales.

“Our role is to remove the blockers faced by the sector — whether in planning, access to finance or infrastructure.”

The Celtic Sea floating wind programme is expected to create major supply chain opportunities for Welsh ports, engineering firms, vessel operators and training providers. Marine Energy Wales has said the first 4.5GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea could create more than 5,300 jobs during construction.

The Port of Milford Haven has previously said the Haven’s existing energy expertise, heavy engineering base and deep-water port facilities make it well placed to support the industry.

Mr Price also welcomed UK Government support for Port Talbot, but Pembrokeshire businesses will be watching closely to ensure Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock receive a fair share of the investment.

Jessica Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said offshore wind was “Wales’ next big industrial opportunity”, adding that it could be worth almost £5bn to Welsh businesses and deliver more than 3,000 long-term secure jobs.

For Milford Haven, long associated with oil, gas and marine industry, floating offshore wind could mark the next chapter in the Haven’s energy story.

Climate

Royal Welsh Show visitors urged to travel sustainably

Published

1 week ago

June 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to this year’s Royal Welsh Show are being encouraged to use public transport as organisers look to ease congestion and promote more sustainable travel.

The show takes place at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, from July 20 to 23, and is expected to attract thousands of people from across Wales and beyond.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said rail and bus services would provide convenient options for showgoers, with free shuttle buses running from Builth Road railway station to the showground, which is just over a mile away.

Discounted admission

Visitors travelling on the Heart of Wales Line with a valid rail ticket will be able to buy discounted show admission tickets from conductors and ticket offices along the route.

The discounted prices are £35 for adults and £11 for children. Children under 16 can travel free by train when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Transport for Wales said rail services would connect visitors from across Wales and the borders, including routes from Cardiff through some of Wales’ most scenic countryside. TrawsCymru bus services will also provide another option for those travelling to the event.

Family activities

Transport for Wales and Network Rail will also have an interactive stand at the show, offering family-friendly rail safety activities and entertainment.

Activities will include VR headset experiences, story time sessions, badge-making classes and rail safety performances. Builth Wells Male Voice Choir is also due to visit the stand on the first day of the show.

Children under 16 travelling to the show by train on the Heart of Wales Line will be able to collect a free activity sheet on board and hand in their completed artwork at the Transport for Wales stand for a chance to win a prize.

Visitors are being urged to plan their journeys in advance through the Transport for Wales website and journey planner.

Travel encouraged:

Visitors to the Royal Welsh Show are being urged to consider rail and bus services this year (Pic: RWAS).