More power lines needed to fill gaps in Mid Wales and Shropshire

The majority of the country is covered by power lines capable of handling the thousands of megawatts of power generated by large-scale power stations.

Previously this high-voltage power coverage wasn't need in Shropshire – but with a growing number of plans for wind farms in Powys over the past several years, Scottish Power asked for the network to be expanded.

That means the prospect of pylon towers crossing the countryside, something that has led to a massive backlash from those who live along proposed routes.

Jeremy Lee, National Grid project manager of the mid Wales connection project, said the lines were vital for ensuring power being generated at the wind farms can be used effectively.

He spoke to the Shropshire Star to explain why the investment was needed.

He said: "Over the years we've found that actually we haven't had to put in many modifications to the network that was built in the 1960s and 1970s. That's proved quite a robust system.

"The new sources of power are now coming in places where previously there wasn't anything, so the shape of the network is not quite right. We are having now to look at making larger changes than we have in the past.

"The larger new nuclear stations are also requiring us to put more in and the offshore windfarms are the same, coming in areas where previously there was no need for a network. We can't discriminate against different types of power generation. Our job is to provide the infrastructure, and I think that's quite useful to get across

"Here we've got a large accumulation of on-shore windfarms in an area that's got no equipment at all, and that's why we need to come through a rural area. If there was a new power station in an urban area we would have to work with that instead."

National Grid is currently awaiting the result of a public inquiry into plans for five wind farms across Mid Wales. The inquiry has finished, but planning inspector Andrew Poulter isn't expected to give his decision until the end of the year. The proposals involve turbines at Llanbadarn Fynydd, near Llandrindod Wells; Llaithddu, near Newtown; Llandinam, near Llanidloes; Llanbrynmair, near Machynlleth; Carnedd Wen, near Machynlleth; with a 132kV overhead electric line connection from a Llandinam wind farm to the Welshpool substation

Mr Lee: "We are waiting for the decision on these windfarms. If they are refused planning permission then obviously there won't be the need for our transmission lines and so we won't go ahead."

Mr Lee said the objections raised by people living along the Shropshire-Wales border to the proposals are not any different to those he has heard dozens of times before.

But he said the company will always listen to any comments or feedback and will try to take it into consideration when planning routes.

He said: "Wherever we try and install new transmission equipment it's always going to be controversial. We're not surprised that people are concerned and interested in what the effects on their area are.

"We accept that whatever we do will have some degree of controversy and wherever we introduce things we find people are concerned about similar things. All major infrastructure brings it, from power lines to large industrial or residential estates, or railways or major roads. We're no different.

"I think providing people with information is really important. If people have got the right knowledge about what we're trying to achieve and what the plans are, they can help us make the project as good as it can be."

He was also quick to dispel some urban myths about power lines and underground cables – particularly that it is impossible to farm successfully near a high-voltage power line.

"There are very small restrictions on land around underground power cables," he said. "It's all about the care of the cables. Really there are only problems if you want to dig deep, or build on top of them. If you want to grow crops or graze livestock then that's not a problem.

"We have to dig very deep holes to bury the cables in, and obviously there is some disruption while that is happening, but then we try to put the ground back to how it was before, and it can be used as it would normally be used for farming."

Assuming the wind farms are given permission and the power lines are needed, Mr Lee warned that the installation process of the transmission lines would be disruptive.

The current plans include using 25 miles of pylons and eight miles of underground cables through the Meifod valley, from Cefn Coch to the national supply chain in north Shropshire, at Lower Frankton near Oswestry.

"It's not a case of we can do this without anyone noticing, and I wouldn't want to give anyone that impression," he said. "It is major infrastructure work and as with any major project there will be some disruption," Mr Lee said.

"The work would be carried out in teams moving along the line, one team preparing the ground, another erecting the pylons and another laying the cables."

During consultation meetings many people have objected to the proposed pylons as they claim they will ruin the landscape.

In response, National Grid is considering using shorter 'T-pylons', which are about 50ft shorter than conventional pylons with a much sleeker appearance.

"The pylons were designed as part of an architectural competition and we're now working to see if we can bring them into use," Mr Lee said.

"There are none in use yet, but it is a possibility for this line."