Independent Advisory Group on Future Electricity Grid for Wales meeting summary: 24 February 2025
Summary of meeting, 24 February 2025.
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The Independent Advisory Group meeting on the Future Electricity Grid for Wales took place on 24 February 2025. The agenda included presentations on a community survey and on technical aspects of electricity grid design and infrastructure.
Presentation: Community Survey
Rachel Evans (Countryside Alliance) presented the results of their survey gathering feedback from communities on the impact of electrical infrastructure, specifically pylons, on various aspects such as health, well-being, economy, tourism, and the environment. The survey highlighted opposition to pylons but support for undergrounding and for clean energy generation.
Presentation: Grid 101
Robert Friel and Katherine Jackson (IET) provided a technical presentation on power systems, covering components, design considerations, voltage levels and some of the differences between cables and overhead lines. The presentation discussed the challenges of installing cables and overhead lines, including route selection, ground conditions, and environmental impact. It mentioned that most networks are a mix of overhead lines and underground cables, depending on the specific requirements and constraints of each section. It was noted that community sentiment is considered in the feasibility stage of power system projects, using a red-amber-green approach to evaluate different options.
Outcomes relating to Policy and Planning
The group discussed the Welsh Government's policy on undergrounding power lines and the challenges of balancing costs, technical feasibility, and community impact in recommendations.