What does the project involve?
Rhiwlas Green Energy Network (Rhiwlas GEN) is a new 132kV (132,000 volt) overhead line, approximately (35km in length) supported on wood poles that will run between Rhiwlas Energy Park near Llangurig and a new substation near Cefn Coch, Llanfair Caereinion. The proposed substation will be part of Green GEN Cymru’s Vyrnwy-Frankton connection project).
Rhiwlas GEN will also consist of a new 33kV underground cable route of approximately 3km long, to connect the proposed Banc Du and Rhiwlas Energy Parks.
For more information about Banc Du Energy Park, please click here.
For more information about Rhiwlas Energy Park, please click here.
Our draft route alignment
In Stage One of our initial consultation we asked people for their views on our preferred route for the Rhiwlas GEN project, and anything they would like us to consider when developing our proposals, as well as wider questions about climate change and renewable energy.
The feedback received during the consultation was analysed and carefully considered by the project team, alongside further technical assessments and surveys.
Following the first stage of consultation we re-examined our preferred route, considering environmental, technical and economic factors to see if we could make changes based on the feedback received and our own further assessments and site visits.
As a result, we have now identified a draft route alignment, including preferred pole positions. For more details about our initial consultation, the feedback received, and our responses, please see our Stage One Non-Statutory Consultation Report.
Our revised proposals
We carefully reviewed all feedback received in our first consultation, alongside additional environmental and technical assessments. We are now asking for people’s views on the route and draft route alignment, including the proposed wooden pole positions for Rhiwlas GEN. We believe the draft preferred route alignment achieves a balance between our technical requirements and reducing the potential impacts on the environment and local communities.
Key changes to our proposals include:
Section 1
Cefn Coch (Llyn Lort Energy Park) – Carno – Trefeglwys
As the route leaves the Bryngwyn substation location, it previously headed towards the Y Capel Stone Circle and passed through the site of the proposed Esgair Cwmowen Wind Farm. A decision has been taken to avoid the boundary of the wind farm as far as possible, so the revised route now deviates outside of the previous corridor to the east and south to avoid the wind farm and more closely follow the River Rhiw at the base of the Esgair Cwmowen. From there, it rejoins the corridor to the southeast of the stone circle.
There were also some specific change requests relating to the ecological value around the existing Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) 132kV line that heads down to the A470. In response to this request, we have avoided vegetation clearance as far as possible, and sited wood poles in field margins. The route now also hugs the western extent of the corridor between Maesypandy and the A470 at Oerffrwd. This is driven by needing to locate the most practical and least impacting crossing point of the road and mainline railway. It also avoids the more sensitive vegetation to the north of the Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) route and maintains appropriate separation from the SPEN route itself.
Section 2
Trefeglwys – Llanidloes – Llangurig (Rhiwlas Energy Park)
Consultation feedback sought to minimise the impacts on Trefeglwys village and the overall village itself. The route has been revised eastwards from the crossing of the B4569 towards the bottom of the valley and the Afon Cerist.
The route follows the corridor tightly to the east as it heads up past Llyn Ebyr to follow the contours and use the topography of the area to maximum screening effect. There is also a 132kV line within the centre of this corridor and the route has been designed to ensure it is an appropriate distance away from that.
Between the foot of the Brynposteg Hill and the A470, the route now deviates slightly outside of the original corridor and is closer to the A470. This was because further environmental studies have identified this area had suffered landslips in the past, which made it highly unsuitable for wood poles. Feedback also suggested the route should follow the hill ward side of the old railway to the east of the River Dulas and some concerns were raised about impacts on properties and businesses here. Due to these two factors, the route has been aligned to cross the River Dulas closer to the A470 and nearer to the disused quarry in a more direct alignment.
Section 3
Rhiwlas Energy Park – Banc Du Energy Park
This section remains largely unchanged and limited feedback was received as part of the previous consultation on the preferred corridor in this area. The proposed underground cable route follows the access track that was established for the construction of the Bryn Blaen Wind Farm, which heads northeast from the A470 near the Rhiwlas substation and following the track up to Bryn Blaen-y-Glyn. It crosses the minor road between Llangurig and Llanidloes in the centre of the preferred corridor, where it continues to follow the access tracks past a few of the Bryn Blaen turbines. The route deviates outside of the preferred corridor to efficiently connect to the Banc Du substation and avoid overlapping with the network of underground cables connecting the Bryn Blaen turbines to their substation. Where the cable route leaves the preferred corridor, it continues to follow the access track before picking up the alignment of a bridleway northward and then south-westerly to the Banc Du substation.
What will the overhead line look like?
As we develop our projects, we consider the visual impacts of the overhead lines and how the potential for these can be reduced through careful routeing; for example, seeking to avoid towns and villages, and areas with environmental designations.
We apply the long-established Holford Rules for routeing overhead lines. The key principles of which include avoiding prominent ridges and skylines; following broad wooded valleys; avoiding settlements and residential properties; and maximising opportunities for ‘backclothing’ and the screening of the overhead line.
The overhead line proposed as part of Rhiwlas GEN would be made on wooden poles, examples of which can be seen below. These poles are typically 12-14m tall, though this may vary depending on local conditions, for example changes in topography, or where the connection needs to cross roads or railways.
Where the proposed line changes direction, angle poles will be required, with additional stay wires to reduce tension and ensure stability.
Examples of what the wooden pole connection will look like - click the image above to open a gallery
The planning process
Installation of new overhead lines of 132kV means this project is classed as a Development of National Significance (DNS) in Wales. The final decision on the project will be made by Welsh Ministers and developers must apply for planning consent to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).
Prior to submitting a planning application, we will be carrying out a range of technical assessments and surveys to inform our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The EIA will then form part of the Environmental Statement (ES), which sets out the potential impacts of the Rhiwlas GEN project and any proposed mitigations.
Prior to submitting a planning application to PEDW, we will consult with statutory bodies, such as Powys County Council and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), as well as other agencies and bodies, to gather their views on the project.
We will also be carrying out further consultation with local communities, including a statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) where residents, stakeholders and other interested parties will be able to review and comment on the detailed designs of the Rhiwlas GEN project, as well as the draft ES.