Written by Dr Jonathan Dean
Some clarity is emerging on the various pylon schemes in Wales. The north south transmission line was proposed by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) initially to get power from Scotland to the south Wales grid, but was then identified by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) as being necessary for the U.K. Government’s Clean Power 2030 target as it could connect up onshore wind farms.
However, NGET say it cannot be delivered before 2037 and have not included it in their 2026-2031 business plan submitted to Ofgem for approval later this year
Puzzled by this I queried NESO, and they said that they have identified other ways of connecting renewables in Wales which, while not as cost effective, will enable clean power to be achieved by 2030
This can only mean that the three Green Gen Cymru (Vyrnwy Frankton, Tywi Usk and Tywi Teifi) distribution projects will be progressing with the blessing of NESO and the U.K. Government. There are also other schemes from Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), which if the available information is to be believed will connect wind farms to Trawsfynydd and Telford!
As the north south line could effectively perform the functions of the GGC, SPEN and NGED proposals, it would seem that the distribution proposals will be pushed through just to hit the 2030 deadline, and north south will come along a few years later (as Scotland still needs to get its electricity to the south Wales grid).
This will ultimately result in “excess” infrastructure and cost literally being built it! While I’m no fan of the north south proposal, with pylons the entire length of Wales, technically it is the better solution.
As NESO are primarily transmission focused, it seems that in Wales the lower voltage, less efficient, more expensive distribution system will have to do the heavy lifting of getting electricity out of the interior of Wales, and have left the distribution network operators to just get on with it.
All of the network companies have an obligation in their Ofgem licenses to collaborate with each other so that the resulting grid is the most efficient and effective. However, this does not appear to be happening. I have tried, and failed, to get any sense out of Ofgem, and from past experience they generally only show any interest once a proposal is consented.
This lack of coordination could mean all the network companies are in breach of their licences, that Wales will have pylon lines built that are ultimately unnecessary and that bill payers will have to pick up the cost. It’s time for politicians to step in as some heads need banging together!
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