Rhiwlas GEN proposal

132kV, single circuit. about 22 miles (35km). Approximately 3km underground section between Rhiwlas and Banc Du Energy Parks.

Double "H" type wood poles, typical height 14 metres, variable depending on terrain. Typical span distance between poles is 106 metres.

Wood pole overhead line from Rhiwlas Energy Park to the Cors y Garreg collector substation at the edge of Llyn Lort Energy Park, enabling connection to the Vyrnwy-Frankton line. There is also an underground section of about 3km connecting the Banc Du Energy Park.

Initial consultations in 2023 and then in 2024 with some revisions. Changes to Vyrnwy-Frankton required a revision of the northern part of the route, with targetted consultation in early 2026. Statutory consultation on the whole route is expected later in 2026, then submission as a Significant Infrastructure Project (SIP) application in 2027. Operational target is 2029.

Although not a steel pylon line, this connection is very significant and a major feed to the Vrynwy-Frankton pylon line. Whilst perhaps not as unacceptably obtrusive as the taller pylons, the double wood pole line will have a noticeable impact on an extensive part of the Powys landscape. Its main function is to connect the proposed Banc Du and Rhiwlas Energy Parks to the UK electricity grid via the Vrynwy-Frankton line. Both these wind farms are Bute Energy developments.

There are other wind farms proposed by different developers located close to the northern part of the wood pole route, it is not known if they will connect to the line.

There are two large wind farm proposals also by Bute Energy, further to the west, Waun Hesgog and Esgair Galed Energy Parks. Our understanding is that they will have their own wood pole lines in order to connect to the Cors y Garreg substation. No confirmed details are yet available.

References (external, open in new tab):

Green GEN Cymru Rhiwlas GEN project

PEDW planning casework: Rhiwlas Green Energy Network (GEN)

Green GEN Cymru Vyrnwy-Frankton project website

PEDW planning casework: Llyn Lort Energy Park

Bute Energy: Banc Du Energy Park

Bute Energy: Rhiwlas Energy Park

Bute Energy: Llyn Lort Energy Park

Green GEN Cymru Phase Three Grid Connection Strategy (PDF)

Along the route:

Foel Goch near start of the Rhiwlas line