Consultation coming for Green GEN Cymru Vyrnwy Frankton Project

A proposed new electricity connection through Powys and Shropshire to connect renewable energy to homes and businesses is set to enter its next key phase with the launch of a second public consultation.

Green GEN Cymru is developing this new 132kV electricity connection between the proposed Grug y Mynydd collector substation near Cefn Coch in Powys to a new National Grid substation at Lower Frankton in Shropshire to develop a stronger, more resilient electricity network, adding needed local capacity that unlocks clean, renewable energy for our businesses, and communities.

The next public consultation will take place from 19 February to 16 April and show a more detailed design for the connection, giving people a sense of what it could look like in the landscape. The project includes a new substation in the Powys uplands, an updated route alignment including proposed pylon locations and proposed access routes and construction compounds.

As well as bringing clean energy to communities, by adding additional capacity, the Vyrnwy Frankton project also opens up the potential for investment in the area, supporting the creation of jobs and skills. It could also help the region prepare for a future when we all use more electricity, as the UK reduces the use of oil and gas.

Since the first consultation in Autumn 2023, Green GEN Cymru has analysed the feedback submitted by local communities and stakeholders, which together with environmental and technical requirements surveys has influenced the latest proposals.

The design of the connection will still be open to change, and communities and stakeholders will have opportunity to provide their comments when the consultation launches. A series of public events is planned which will include a digital model of the connection. A range of new information will be published and the project website www.greengenvyrnwyfrankton.com will be updated including a detailed map.

This will be a statutory consultation and is likely to be the last route consultation, before Green GEN Cymru applies for planning consent.

Sean Taylor, project manager for the Green GEN Cymru Vyrnwy Frankton Project said:

“Community consultation is key part of how we are developing the project and the last round of non-statutory consultation gave us some very useful feedback that has enabled us to refine our proposals.

“We’ll be asking people to give us their feedback so we can continue to look at ways to keep effects as low we can. We know that people can have concerns about new infrastructure so it’s important people take part if there are factors they us want to consider.

“We’re committed to developing our proposals in a way that seeks to balance the effects on those who live and work close to our proposals, with the policy and technical requirements we must also meet.