Powys politicians have voiced their concerns about the proposed windfarm and pylons in the Vyrnwy valley.
Montgomeryshire representatives Craig Williams MP and Russell George MS are urging residents to get involved in the upcoming consultation after renewable energy company Bute Energy announced a new largescale wind farm at sites and pylons near to Llanerfyl, Cefn Coch and the Vyrnwy Valley.
Meanwhile Plaid Cymru councillor Elwyn Vaughan has called for the cables to be buried underground.
Bute Energy has opened a public consultation into plans for Llyn Lort Energy Park which would see the erection of up to 25 large wind turbines.
READ MORE: Plans for huge power line crossing Powys with pylons and new windfarm revealed
With no current National Grid infrastructure capable of collecting and distributing generated power, the proposals also include plans by Green GEN Cymru for a substation, connecting the energy parks through large lattice pylons and a new 132 kv overhead line through the Vyrnwy Valley.
This would be linked to the main grid connection in Shropshire.
“Our concern has always been that the grid is already at capacity,” said Mr Williams. “The industrialisation of our landscape with large-scale pylons criss-crossing our hills and valleys is very worrying.
"It is a huge concern to many people across Mid Wales and I will be meeting with the Montgomeryshire Against Pylons group to discuss next steps.
“Bute Energy’s plans for a grid connection specifically refer to an overhead as opposed to underground connection."
Mr George added: “Proposals such as this for Llyn Lort and the associated grid connection within the Vyrnwy Valley must ensure they have the support of local communities.”
“Montgomeryshire well remembers the previous large-scale wind farm proposals of a decade ago, where our communities reacted in force against the total lack of consideration and empathy for residents and landscapes shown by developers.
“It is vital that renewable energy companies, alongside the National Grid, learn the lessons from previous projects and ensure that they take the communities with them, rather than imposing projects upon Mid Wales.”
Mr Vaughan, meanwhile, called the plans "Groundhog Day" for local residents following a similar consultation in 2013.
"Whilst the need for decarbonisation and further green energy generation is clear, many residents, as well as the tourism and agriculture sector will hold concerns regarding the impact of these pylons – particularly on the area’s natural beauty and rich heritage – from Mathrafal to Offa’s Dyke," he said.
"As we are seeing in other areas of the UK, and internationally, there is another accepted alternative for energy transmission – undergrounding of cables. This would allow us to continue to meet our climate change ambitions, and in the long-term help safeguard the beauty of this area."
Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru MS for Mid & West Wales added: “Earlier this year, in response to my question in the Senedd, the Climate Change Minister confirmed that the Welsh Government’s policy is that electricity transmission cables should be placed underground where possible.
"Its clear rural Wales needs to drastically review and develop its grid infrastructure as we rightly turn towards greener energy generation. However, in countries across Europe, and increasingly in many areas of the UK, we are already seeing a growing precedent for overhead lines to be buried underground. I have no doubt that if this project is to proceed, undergrounding should be the preferred option.”
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