Leader Welcomes Assembly Support For Undergrounding

Council Leader, Councillor Ieuan Williams, has welcomed the National Assembly’s support for the undergrounding of new power lines. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Williams believes that National Grid must take notice of Anglesey’s elected representatives as they show a united front against plans for more pylons and their negative effects. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Last week, following a notice of motion tabled by Anglesey AM, Rhun Ap Iorwerth, National Assembly members voted unanimously in favour of undergrounding cables rather than erecting electricity pylons in any new or current developments in Wales by the National Grid. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ynys Mon’s MP Albert Owen has also called for a commons debate on the role of National Grid and its policies in connecting new energy projects. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In December, county councillors voted unanimously for electricity to be carried by underground cables. Significant concerns were raised about a second overhead line having a major negative impact on the Island’s landscape, economy and the well-being of residents. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Ieuan Williams said, “On this matter there is a clear consensus amongst the Island’s elected representatives – we are unanimous in our opposition to a second line of electricity pylons across Anglesey, and we want any new power lines to be undergrounded.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’m pleased that Rhun and Albert are giving us their full backing in both Cardiff and Westminster; and I thank them wholeheartedly for their efforts on behalf of the people of Anglesey.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He added, “As a Council, we’re standing with the people of Anglesey in their total rejection of pylons as a means of carrying a new overhead power line. National Grid should put people before pylons. National Grid’s proposed solution does not take account of the needs of people and communities, the economy and the environment and as a result could be viewed as not addressing the sustainability and long term issues noted in the Well-being and Future Generations Act.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We’re also concerned that cost has been the driving factor in National Grid’s preference for pylons, and that they’ve failed to give proper weight to the importance of other credible alternatives. As a result, we are now seeking a joint meeting with senior representatives from Ofgem and National Grid to discuss the approach and factors which are influencing the North Wales Connection Project.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The National Assembly for Wales also believes that National Grid should use underground or undersea cables or alternatives to carry electricity through National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales where feasible; and that Ofgem should commit to continue and extend the Visual Impact Provision project for Wales to replace current pylons with underground cables or other alternatives. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​