THE new environment minister for the Welsh Government is set to meet regional AMs today, to discuss plans to install pylons and an electricity substation in Powys.
Joyce Watson and Rebecca Evans, Assembly Members representing Mid and West Wales, will meet the minister today (Tuesday, May 24), just as campaigners complete a 100-mile 'march on Cardiff' to fight the proposals.
Speaking ahead of the meeting Joyce Watson, who last month met campaigners in Abermule, proposed site for the 20-acre ‘hub’, said: "At the public meeting in Abermule Primary School, I listened to the concerns of headteacher Terry Wain, campaign organiser Tony Caplin, and Abermule residents, and I promised to relate their views to the Welsh Government.
“I hope to meet campaigners immediately after our meeting with the minister to provide them with an update.
"This is a huge issue for the whole region and it is important that the new Welsh Government listens to the views of people on all sides of the debate.”
Rebecca Evans AM said she was very aware of the strength of feeling.
"After only a couple of weeks as an Assembly Member I have already received a very high number of representations on this issue from people living in mid Wales,” she said.
“I look forward to meeting with constituents to further listen to their views and concerns."
National Grid is proposing a route to carry a 400,000-volt cable, using 47-metre high pylons, or by routing the wires underground, the campaigners’ preferred option.
The plans would also include building a 20-acre substation at either Abermule near Newtown, or Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion.
Under the proposals the electricity substation and pylons are intended to serve between 600 and 800 wind turbines, although protesters fear that far more could be built.