Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

People are being urged to air their views on proposed power line routes for a controversial wind farm in Carmarthenshire. Consultation now begins over approval for the power lines to be put up in Brechfa Forest. Opponents are unhappy Western Power Distribution (WPD) wants to connect them with double-poled wooden structures up to 18m (59ft) high. Carmarthenshire council and others want the proposed power lines to be buried. WPD, the company responsible for connecting the electricity from the planned wind farms to the distribution network, has already announced proposed corridors for the route. The preferred route will join existing overhead lines south of Carmarthen. For the full story from the BBC website, click on the link in the headline.

National Grid has announced that eight miles of the electricity cabling needed in mid Wales to bring power from wind farms will be placed underground [1]. Friends of the Earth Cymru’s 2011 consultation response [2] pointed out that the entire 33 mile route could be placed underground at a cost similar to overhead pylons - if National Grid used a more sensible approach. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “National Grid has clearly listened to our views on grid connections to wind farms in mid Wales. But while this is a step in the right direction, we’re disappointed that our workable method allowing the entire route to be placed underground at similar cost to pylons has not been fully accepted. “If National Grid had a sensible approach to carrying energy from these wind turbines, then perhaps more people in local communities would recognise the benefits of wind energy and get behind the schemes. “Renewable energy projects are need needed throughout the country t...

Everyone in Wales is being asked to support Carmarthenshire in their opposition to overground cables and pylons planned as part of Brechfa Wind Farm. County Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge has launched an e-petition on the UK Government website as part of a national campaign against the plans by Western Power Distribution. He is now urging everyone to show their support, and is also asking the Welsh Local Government Association, MPs, AMs and all 21 other Welsh local authorities to sign the petition. The aim is to gather a minimum of 100,000 signatures which could see the issue debated in the House of Commons. The petition states: “We the undersigned find it totally unacceptable that the proposed Brechfa Forest, Carmarthenshire, Wales, wind farm (s) National Grid connection should be made via an overhead line supported by wooden pylons. “The environment of these, and other communities, should not be blighted by the visual impact of overhead cables. We ask the Energy Secretary to ensur...