About us
Green GEN Cymru is proudly based in Wales and is developing green energy networks to meet the future needs of Wales’ people, communities, and businesses.
We have a vision for a healthier, wealthier Wales, that uses clean energy generation as a positive power locally and regionally, to create a more sustainable future for this and future generations.
Designing green energy pathways across Wales
As an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), we’ll design, construct and maintain a new 132kV (132,000- volt) electricity distribution network - needed to connect new Welsh renewable energy projects to the electricity transmission network, helping to get green energy to homes and businesses across Wales and beyond.
Adopting renewable energy sources will have positive impacts on local communities right across the country. Connecting local generation to the National Grid is crucial for improving our energy independence and resilience and reducing our vulnerability to UK energy supply disruptions. Our new renewable network will create jobs and stimulate economic growth, reduce pollution, and improve public health.
What does the project involve?
A resilient network for a low carbon future.
The existing electricity network does not have sufficient capacity to connect new renewable energy generation to the national grid. We need to act now to build new electricity infrastructure to ensure our local communities can benefit from renewable energy generated in Wales as our nation moves away from reliance on fossil fuels.
The proposed Towy Usk 132kV (132,000-volt) connection, approximately 97 kilometres long, will connect Bute Energy’s Nant Mithil Energy Park to a new substation, being developed by National Grid Electricity Transmission, on the existing 400kV transmission line near Llandyfaelog, in Carmarthenshire.
Bute Energy’s Bryn Gilwern and Aberedw Energy Parks will also connect to Green GEN Towy Usk, via a new electricity switching station, located at the foot of Aberedw Hill, north-east of Builth Wells
Examples of what the wooden pole connection will look like - click the image above to open a gallery
Why is this project needed?
Local and regional approach to a low carbon future
To stop using fossil fuels, we urgently need new sustainable and resilient infrastructure in Wales.
Our proposed network enables the direct connection of community and other renewable projects, while reducing pressure on the existing electricity grid, supporting energy resilience and enabling the rollout of green heating and electric vehicles.
A key goal in tackling the climate emergency is to generate more energy from renewable sources and phase out the use of fossil fuels.
To respond to this challenge and the Welsh Government’s target to meet the equivalent of 100% of Wales’ electricity needs from renewable sources by 2035, we’re developing a stronger, more resilient renewable electricity network that is greatly needed in Wales – distributing clean, green energy.
What will the Towy Usk connection look like?
As we develop our projects, we considered the visual impacts of the overhead lines and how the potential for these can be reduced through careful routeing; for example, seeking to avoid towns and villages, and areas with environmental designations.
Our original proposal for the Towy Usk 132kV connection was for a double-circuit overhead line, carried on steel pylons.
In our first round of consultation in spring 2023, we asked people for their views on our preferred route and anything they would like us to take into account when developing our proposals. Since then, we have carefully considered all the feedback we received, alongside further environmental and technical assessments, and we have made a number of changes to our proposals.
Our revised proposal includes a single-circuit overhead line supported on wood poles from the proposed Nant Mithil Energy Park to a new switching station south of the A481 at the foot of Aberedw Hill, and a section of underground cable where the route crosses the River Towy near Llanarthney. We have also made some alterations to the route in other places.
Our draft route alignment
Development of the project following the first round of consultation
Following the first round of consultation in spring 2023 where we asked people for their views on our preferred route for Green GEN Towy Usk, we re-examined our preferred route from an environmental, technical, and economic perspective to see if we could make changes based on the feedback received and our own further assessments and site visits.
We looked at where we could make changes to the route, and reviewed where we might be able to change the proposed technology and infrastructure (such as where it may be more appropriate to use wood poles or underground cables instead of steel pylons).
Following this work, we identified a draft route alignment (including potential pole and pylon positions) within the reviewed preferred route.
The draft route alignment takes account of the feedback we received from communities and stakeholders, and includes consideration of biodiversity, the landscape and views, cultural heritage, woodlands, flood risk, geology and soils, other land uses, and technical needs.
Interactive map
We have produced an interactive map showing the draft route alignment for Towy Usk. For ease of reference, we have organised the draft route alignment into five sections.
In this second round of consultation, we are asking for your feedback on:
Any factors you think we should consider when developing our proposals for the draft route alignment, including the proposed locations of pylons, wood poles, underground cables and switching station.
The poles and pylons in each of the 5 sections are numbered on the interactive map for referencing in your feedback.
You can zoom to specific areas you would like to see and click on the route to see the pole/pylon reference number.
A summary explaining how the route has been updated, can be viewed by clicking on the relevant section maps below.
Route sections:
You can find more information about the consultation, the draft route alignment, and our revised proposals in the Stage two consultation brochure.
Following this work, we identified a draft route alignment (including potential pole and pylon positions) guided by the reviewed preferred route.
We backchecked the methodology used in the Grid Connection Strategy and reviewed the additional option, and our conclusion is that the most appropriate connection option remains at a new substation in Carmarthenshire. The Grid Connection Strategy has been updated to reflect this work.
We know that new infrastructure can be disruptive to communities. We are committed to doing everything we can to cause the least disturbance to the environment and those who live, work, and enjoy recreation close to our proposals.