Latest news with #GreenGENCymru
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Pylon plans threaten to wipe out Powys harness racing event
A POPULAR summer sporting event in Powys could be erased from the calendar by plans to erect pylons across the county, a landowner has warned. Cilmery Harness Races has been a permanent fixture on the summer harness racing schedule for more than a decade. But, plans to scatter the Brecon and Radnorshire countryside with wind turbines and electricity pylons is threatening its future. The event, held every August at Cilmery Farm, on the edge of the village, lies directly in the path of the proposed Green GEN Cymru Towy Usk network, a 60-mile line of pylons through Powys. The route would start at the Nant Mithil Energy Park in the Radnor Forest and cut a swathe right through the heart of Powys, on its way to Carmarthen. Kevin Jones, a third-generation farmer at Cilmery Farm, has been approached by green energy firms, who want to build five pylons on his land – including one proposed on the last corner of the racetrack. 'I'm against it, I don't want the things,' said Kevin, 53, who has worked on the family farm since he was 17. 'I don't want or need them. I'll be looking straight out of my house at them. They look absolutely horrible. It's unspoilt countryside here, there's no pylons for miles around.' Huge changes afoot for school in Powys as consultation begins Man seen smashing car windscreen with broomstick was 'on path to destruction' From redundancy to writer - author's third novel is published by Harper Collins Two races per summer are held on the track, which Kevin agreed to host more than 15 years ago. 'My father-in-law is big into harness racing and he persuaded me to hold the races here,' said Kevin. 'It's a prestigious event locally and on the trotting calendar. I do it for the local community. 'But, it will be finished if or when the pylons go through, because we won't be able to get a licence or insurance for it. It'll be a health and safety nightmare, there's no way can you race round pylons.' Cilmery Farm sits alongside the A483 passing through the village towards Llanwrtyd Wells, with Kevin claiming the pylon on the last corner will have to be raised even higher than the others, because of a dip from the road to the field. The farm will be part of the route linking the Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern Energy Parks projects, either side of neighbouring Builth Wells, to Carmarthen. Kevin was first contacted by Green GEN around two years ago. 'I wanted them to go into another field but they keep coming back to the racecourse field,' he said. 'It's like hitting my head against a brick wall talking to them." 'Because it's a PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, which deals with projects of national significance) application, all it takes is for the planning chief in Cardiff to sign it and it'll be go. We have no say.' He added: 'The compensation they're offering is peanuts too. I've been told around £5,000 or 6,000 as a one-off payment, but they haven't really told me. And I don't want it. 'When I contact them they tell me the person I need to speak to is on holiday.' Gareth Williams, grid director at Green GEN Cymru, said previously: 'It's imperative we act swiftly to harness Wales' renewable energy potential and get the green energy generated to the many homes, hospitals, schools, businesses and communities that need it in the rest of Wales and beyond. 'The existing network in Mid Wales does not have nearly enough capacity to connect all the new renewable energy we need, locally and nationally. 'To end the use of fossil fuels we need new infrastructure, and quickly. Our plans for the Towy Usk connection will help build a positive, clean future for us all.'
Business News Wales
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Grid Growth Is Crucial for Rural Wales' Green Future
At Green GEN Cymru, we're in the business of making connections, quite literally. As an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), we have the ability to propose, build, and operate electricity distribution networks across the UK, up to 132,000 volts. That puts us squarely at the heart of the UK's energy transformation, and nowhere is the need for transformation more urgent than in Wales. Wales can be a true leader in renewable energy, particularly wind. In Mid Wales, we're working to unlock around three gigawatts of new renewable generation, primarily onshore wind. The geography is perfect, high hills, strong wind, and local support for greener, cleaner power. The problem? The power can't get out so as to allow Wales to reach its green energy potential. . The real bottleneck lies in the grid. Right now, Wales is largely served by two 400kV transmission corridors, one in the north and one in the south, effectively running along the A55 and M4. That might work well for urban centres and industry along those routes, but it leaves huge areas of the country, particularly Mid Wales, cut off from the wider transmission network. This is the pinch point we face – incredible renewable energy potential stuck without a route to market. It's not just about generation either. Electricity flows both ways. As more of our transport, heating and industry moves to electric power, the need for reliable local distribution networks becomes just as critical. In simple terms, people and businesses in Mid Wales need better access to power. The consequences of grid limitations are being felt already. Take Ceredigion, a rural area with big ambitions for clean transport. The region has electric buses, but no local capacity to charge them. They're being driven to Carmarthenshire to plug in. That's not just inefficient, it's a clear example of how infrastructure isn't keeping pace with ambition. As a distribution operator, we can help address these local challenges. By extending and strengthening the distribution network into areas like Mid Wales, we can support EV charging hubs, power business expansion, and give communities the energy infrastructure they need to thrive in a net zero future. We're not doing this alone. In Wales, there are two regional distribution network operators, National Grid Electricity Distribution and Scottish Power Energy Networks everyone needs to work together to deliver for the country. Whether it's large-scale transmission or regional distribution, we all have a shared mission, to build a grid that works for the future. But the scale of the challenge means we need to move faster and smarter. Wales cannot afford to be left behind as the UK transitions to net zero. Every delayed connection, every stranded project, every missed opportunity to electrify transport or industry, chips away at our collective progress. If we want to realise the full potential of Wales' renewable resources, create new jobs, and keep our communities competitive, grid growth isn't optional, it's essential. At Green GEN Cymru, we're committed to being part of the solution. The connections we build today are the foundation for the Wales we all want to see tomorrow, clean, connected, and powered by its own natural strengths.
Powys County Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys holiday park's future under threat from pylon plans
A Powys holiday park has said its future is under threat from pylons planned to serve multiple windfarms. Ed and Sam Williams own and run Bryn Vyrnwy Holiday Park in Llansantffraid. Bryn Vyrnwy has been a family farm for over 75 years, with a holiday park being developed over the last 35 years. The Williams family say that a proposed electricity connection project on an overhead line on steel pylons will threaten the future of their family-run business. 'The proposed electricity connection project on an overhead line on steel pylons, is threatening the future of our family business," said Mr Williams. 'Our holiday park has five separate static caravan parks situated within 120 acres of beautiful countryside, people holiday at the park because of the peace and tranquillity, and because they are surrounded by the rolling Shropshire and Welsh hills, with fantastic views of the stunning mid-Wales countryside. 'When I raised our concerns with Green GEN Cymru at the recent consultation event, they did not seem to grasp the significant negative effect the pylon route will have on our holiday park business. ''My parents are still active in helping to run the park alongside myself and wife, Sam. "Our two young children are also involved in the business. The pylon route being so close to the park risks the opportunity for our children continuing to run the park in the future, if that is what they choose to do.'' Montgomeryshire MS, Russell George, has raised concerns about the effect the proposed pylon route would have to local businesses and voiced his support on a visit to Bryn Vyrnwy Holiday Park with Powys County councillor, Gwynfor Thomas. 'The Williams family have spent over a generation investing and growing the business, and the developers seem to have had little consideration of what their plans will do to businesses like Bryn Vyrnwy Holiday Park,' said Mr George. 'I again want to make the case that transmission lines should be underground, opposed to overground when being built in sensitive areas. People come to holiday in north Powys because they are surrounded by fantastic views of the mid-Wales countryside. Cllr Thomas added: 'Apart from the size and scope of Green GEN Cymru's project not being appropriate for our area, and running so close to the village of Llansantffraid, I have other concerns that there will be greater risks caused from flooding, because of the impact from large amounts of concrete that will be used to build the pylon foundations.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Legal row landowners agree access for pylon survey
A group of landowners who refused access to their land to build a new pylon route have agreed to sign licences to grant access. Green Gen Cymru wants to develop an electricity connection between Lan Fawr Energy Park near Llanddewi Brefi, Ceredigion, to a new National Grid substation at Llandyfaelog, Carmarthenshire. The 132kV electricity connection could power more than 10,000 homes but several landowners had refused permission for company representatives to access their land for surveys. Ten people were due in Llanelli Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, but four reached an agreement with Green GEN Cymru before the hearing and the court heard the remaining six would sign licences to grant access. Green GEN Cymru withdrew the warrants against the four who reached the deal before the hearing "without consequence in costs" but the court was told this would be the last time the company was happy to scrap the costs. About 70 people gathered outside the court to support the landowners, including Plaid Cymru Members of the Senedd Adam Price and Cefin Campbell. Pylon plans could spark mass social unrest - Plaid Farmers in court in 'David v Goliath' pylon battle Green energy plan 'won't benefit' Welsh valley residents Judge Gwyn Jones rejected a request from the landowners' legal team to adjourn the case after they said not enough time had been given to consider all the evidence. The Towy-Teifi line is one of three major routes of pylons in Powys, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, being proposed by Green GEN Cymru, each spanning several miles. Protesters have argued for the lines to be installed underground to protect the natural beauty of the areas. Green GEN Cymru said in a statement that it was pleased to have reached voluntary access agreements with landowners and thanked them for working with them. "For more than two years we have sought to reach voluntary access agreements with landowners so that Green GEN Cymru can conduct critical environmental surveys. Legal action has never been our chosen route," it said. "In all discussions with landowners, we have offered compensation for any potential disruption caused by surveys and to pay for independent professional advice. We will continue to do so as we work with landowners across our routes."
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Farmers in court in 'David v Goliath' pylon battle
Five farmers have appeared in court accused of refusing to provide access to surveyors in a "David versus Goliath" battle over a controversial new pylon route. Green GEN Cymru wants to raise miles of pylons through rural Wales to tackle the energy, climate and cost-of-living crisis. Three landowners from the Carmarthenshire, told Llanelli magistrates on Monday they would now sign licences to grant access. The energy company's application for two further warrants has been adjourned to 22 April. Caerfyrddin MP Ann Davies and Members of the Senedd (MS) Adam Price and Cefin Campbell were among about 80 campaigners outside Llanelli Magistrates' Court in support of the landowners. The farmers, from near Llandovery and Llanarthney, own land in the path of a proposed 56-mile power line between a new windfarm at Nant Mithil in Powys and planned substation at Llandyfaelog, near Carmarthen. Pylon plans could spark mass social unrest - Plaid Green energy plan 'won't benefit' Welsh valley residents Crane erected in fight to stop 60 miles of pylons That Tywi-Usk line is one of three major routes of pylons in Powys, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, being proposed by Green GEN Cymru. Protesters have argued for the lines to be installed underground to protect the natural beauty of the areas. Mr Price, Plaid Cymru MS for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, said after the hearing: "It felt like David and Goliath today. A corporate giant with very large and, no doubt, expensive team of lawyers faced with objectors that were farming families, many of them are elderly and have never been in this position before." Cymdeithas yr Iaith – the Welsh language Society – also criticised the decision not to allow the hearing to be conducted in Welsh. Evidence can be given in Welsh in court but a request must be made to the judge for documentation or court proceedings to be held in Welsh. District judge Mark Layton recommended that his colleague Gwyn Jones conducts the hearing later this month in Welsh via videolink.
