Clarity needed on new undergrounding policy amid Green Gen pylon proposals says Powys politician

Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd Senedd Member James Evans has called on the Welsh Government to clarify how its proposed new undergrounding policy will affect existing plans for electricity pylons across rural Wales, including the controversial Green GEN Cymru Towy Usk proposals.

The Welsh Government has launched a public consultation on an underground-first policy for new electricity lines between 11 kV and 132 kV, following Plaid Cymru’s manifesto commitment to introduce a presumption in favour of undergrounding.

The proposed policy would mean that new electricity lines operating between 11kV and 132kV would be expected to be installed underground wherever possible and that overhead alternatives would only be permitted where they meet specified planning tests.

The announcement comes as Green GEN Cymru is also consulting on its proposed 132 kV Towy Usk electricity connection, which would run approximately 98 kilometres from the proposed Nant Mithil Energy Park in Powys to Carmarthenshire.

The latest plans include approximately 92 kilometres of overhead lines, using a combination of wooden poles and steel monopoles, alongside sections of underground cabling.

James has repeatedly challenged the Welsh Government over the scale of proposed pylons and wind energy developments affecting his constituency, raising concerns about their impact on the landscape, tourism, biodiversity and communities in rural Wales.

He has previously called for planning decisions to be paused until updated guidance is introduced.

James Evans MS, Member of the Senedd for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, said: “For years I have been calling for electricity cables associated with these large-scale energy developments to be undergrounded rather than having miles of overhead lines cutting through our countryside. I welcome the fact that the Welsh Government is now consulting on an underground-first approach, but we need to see what this will actually mean in practice.

“Green GEN Cymru is currently consulting on plans for miles of overhead electricity lines through rural Wales. Our communities deserve to know whether this new policy will apply to developments already in the planning pipeline, and whether companies will now be expected to properly reconsider undergrounding their proposed connections.

“Plaid Cymru made a clear commitment on undergrounding during the election, and people across rural Wales will rightly expect that promise to be delivered.

The Welsh Government must now provide clarity on how this policy will be implemented, when it will take effect and what it means for communities already facing the prospect of major electricity infrastructure developments.”

The Welsh Government launched its consultation, New underground-first policy for 11–132 kV electricity lines in Wales, on October 23 2026. The consultation can be viewed here⁠.

Green GEN Cymru’s latest Towy Usk consultation is open until November 24 2026. View here.