Pylon discussion being ‘kicked into the long grass’, claims cabinet member
A cabinet member in Wales has expressed his frustration with the delay in addressing concerns over a controversial pylon plan. Carmarthenshire councillor Alun Lenny raised the issue at a meeting of the Dyfed Pension Fund pension board, responsible for overseeing a £3 billion-plus fund in West Wales.
Lenny highlighted that while landowners along the proposed pylon route were receiving demands for access to their land, the pension fund was postponing action on pressuring companies associated with the plan. The plan involves a subsidiary of Bute Energy, Green GEN Cymru, seeking to connect wind farms in Mid Wales to the grid through pylons in Carmarthenshire.
Despite the board’s agreement in May to investigate the possibility of divesting from Bute Energy companies, the pension fund committee has yet to discuss the matter. The committee’s hesitance was evident in their decision to seek further information before proceeding with any action.
During the recent pension board meeting, Cllr Lenny voiced his disappointment at the committee’s reluctance to engage in a discussion on the issue, suggesting that they were avoiding the topic by “kicking it into the long grass.” He emphasised the urgency of addressing the concerns before the pylons were erected.
The proposed pylons have faced significant opposition, with calls for the cables to be buried underground rather than erected above ground. Green GEN Cymru aims to construct pylons to connect wind farms in Mid and West Wales to a substation near Carmarthen due to a lack of grid infrastructure in the region.
Cllr Lenny, also the cabinet member for resources in Carmarthenshire, highlighted the increasing pressure faced by those affected by the pylon plan. He revealed that landowners had been instructed to provide access to their land, indicating a significant advancement in the project.
Green GEN Cymru has agreed to bury a section of the proposed pylon route following public consultation. The company has asserted its separation from Bute Energy as it moves forward with its plans for the pylons. The pension fund committee is set to reconvene on November 11 to discuss the issue further and report back to the board members.
The complexity of the situation surrounding the pylon plan underscores the need for prompt and decisive action to address the concerns raised by stakeholders and the wider community. As discussions continue, finding a mutually beneficial solution that balances energy needs with environmental and community interests remains paramount.