Company information
Green GEN Cymru
info@greengencymru.com
https://greengencymru.com
https://www.facebook.com/people/Greengencymru/100089948053800/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-gen-cymru/
https://www.instagram.com/greengencymru/
Telephone: 0800 233 5338Private limited company registered in England and Wales: company number 13060815
Registered office address: Hodge House, Guildhall Place, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF10 1DY
Green GEN Cymru (aka. Green Generation Energy Networks Cymru LImited) is the developer of the currently proposed three pylon lines, plus a number of wood pole 'feeder' connection lines. They hold a licence as an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) granted by Ofgem in July 2024. Their business description is as the provider of a renewable electricity network for the distribution of clean energy. At the time of writing they have no operational or constructed power lines.
The operation of Green GEN Cymru is not typical of IDNO licence holders as proposals are for transmission type connections into the UK grid rather than distribution connections for end customers and businesses. It is unclear how this corresponds to the IDNO regulatory framework.
Green GEN Cymru was originally part of Bute Energy who have plans to build over a dozen wind farm in Wales. The companies were split up into more clearly separate entities to follow licence requirements defined by Ofgem, but both are owned by Windward Energy Limited.
Bute Energy
https://twitter.com/ButeEnergyWalesPrivate limited company registered in England and Wales: company number 12474011
Registered office address: Hodge House, Guildhall Place, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF10 1DY
Bute Energy are a developer of onshore wind and solar Energy Parks, though none have have yet been built. They currently have proposals for 13 energy parks across Wales. Only one has gained planning approval so far, Twyn Hywel to the north-west of Caerphilly, which is at the "pre-construction" stage.
These wind farm proposals are the whole reason for the three pylon lines planned by Green GEN Cymru. Most of their targetted locations do not have viable grid access. Nant Mithil, Bryn Gilwern and Aberedw Energy Parks are the motivation for the Towy-Usk pylon line. Similarly, their proposals for Lan Fawr and Bryn Rhudd Energy Parks are reason for the Towy-Teifi pylon line. A little further north, Llyn Lort, Banc Du and Rhiwlas, plus probably Esgair Galed and Waun Hesgog, need the Vrynwy-Frankton pylon line and Rhiwlas GEN wood poles in order to feed electricity across the English border.
Bute Energy Limited is owned by Windward Energy Limited. Both are part of a complex company structure, including a large number of subsidiary companies. Most of its funding comes from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), a Danish investments management group. Additionally an investment of £68 million was made by Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) which manages a number of local government employee pensions in Wales.
Ultimately, majority ownership and control of Bute Energy and its linked companies is by one person, Oliver Millican. Very good, more detailed information about the company can be found on the Re-Think website.
Windward Energy
Private limited company registered in England and Wales: company number 11390947
Registered office address: Hodge House, Guildhall Place, Cardiff, United Kingdom, CF10 1DY
Contact address: Windward Energy group, Level 3, Quartermile One, 15 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9EN
Windward Energy Limited is the parent company of Bute Energy, Green GEN Cymru and Haldane Energy. The CEO is Oliver Millican, who is also ultimately the majority owner via Windward Enterprises LImited.
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET)
Public limited Company registered in England and Wales: company number 02366977
Registered office address: 1 - 3 Strand, London, WC2N 5EH
NGET is the National Grid subsidiary that owns and operates the electricity grid in England and Wales. It is responsible for the high voltage network of 275kV and 400kV. The existing infrastructure has 7,000km of power lines, 21,000 pylons and over 300 substations.
As an Electricity Transmission Operator they do not provide end user connections. The NGET "backbone" grid feeds the lower voltage distribution networks that supply power to homes and business, which are managed in each area by one of the Distribution Network Operators (DNO's).
The high voltage transmission lines in Scotland and Ireland are run by separate operators.
National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED)
Public limited Company registered in England and Wales: company number 09223384
Registered office address: Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol, Avon, BS2 0TB
NGED is the subsidiary of the National Grid group that acts as the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for most of the Midlands and West Country in England and the southern part of Wales. That means it handles the supply of electricity to end customers, both private individuals and businesses. As such it is responsible for the low voltage network of 132kV and less. It was previously known as Western Power and rebranded after purchase by National Grid from an American utility company in 2021.
SP Manweb
Public limited Company registered in England and Wales: company number 02366937
Registered office address: 3 Prenton Way, Prenton, CH43 3ET
SP Manweb is the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for Merseyside, Cheshire, part of Shropshire and the northern part of Wales. It is part of SP Energy Networks and the parent name is often used. SP Distribution is another part of SP Energy Networks which is the DNO for Central and Southern Scotland. These businesses are part of ScottishPower, which is owned by Iberdrola S.A. of Spain.
National Energy System Operator (NESO)
Private limited Company registered in England and Wales: company number 11014226
Registered office address: St Catherine's Lodge Bearwood Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham, England, RG41 5BN
NESO is a government owned body, registered as a private limited company, created as a result of the UK’s 2023 Energy Act and commenced operation on 1 October 2024. It is the licensed electricity system operator for the UK, responsible for balancing real time supply and demand, strategic planning for electricity networks, and also planning and forecasting for gas transmission systems.
The electricity system operator function was previous performed by the National Grid group, but was bought by the UK government for £630 million. As independent operator it coordinates with the electricity transmission and distribution companies, but is regulated by Ofgem on behalf of the government.
NESO produce the Transmission Entry Capacity (TEC) Register which records generation projects that hold contracts for connection to the electricity network, both existing and planned for the future. This is important when considering proposed projects because it indicates the capacity and location of connections. The TEC Register is available to the public as a downloadable data file (NESO TEC register page).
Galileo Empower
Private limited company registered in England and Wales: company number SC683992
Registered office address: The East Suite First Floor Office, Greenside House, Greenside Place, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH1 3AA
Contact address (Wales): C12, Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9LJ
Contact address (Scotland): The East Suite 1st Floor Office, Greenside House, Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA
Galileo Empower UK Limited, subsidiary of Galileo Empower Limited (company number SC679637), is the UK operation of a European renewable energy developer, which is a joint venture between Empower Renewables and Galileo Green Energy. They have offices in various European countries. Funding is from four investors, the major one being HRL Morrison & Co.
There are four Galileo Empower wind and solar farm proposals in Wales, plus others in Scotland. The grid connection details for Wales are not currently known but new lines of some kind will be needed.
Belltown Power
Private limited company registered in England and Wales: company number 09677724
Registered office address: 10 Victoria Street, Bristol, England, BS1 6BN
Belltown Power are a renewable energy developer with a number of operational and proposed wind and solar farms throughout the UK. It is understood that their Waun Maenllwyd proposal in Ceredigion will have its own new grid connection to Lampeter via a 33kV line, probably on single wood poles. It will not use the nearby Towy-Teifi pylon line.