The National Grid's Western Link 2 proposal has sparked debate over the necessity of a pylon network in Wales. Dr. Jonathan Dean, a countryside champion, argues that the scheme could potentially eliminate the need for such an eyesore. The project aims to establish a sub-sea electricity link between Scotland and Wales, addressing two critical issues: connecting a Scottish offshore wind farm to the grid and alleviating capacity constraints at the Scottish border, which currently incurs a staggering £1.5 billion annual cost due to turbine shutdowns. This initiative is set to be a topic of discussion during the National Grid's consultation on June 23, where further details will be unveiled.
Dr. Dean highlights a peculiar aspect of the project's trajectory. Initially, the plan depicted the route entering North Wales, with Pentir in Gwynedd as a potential landing site. However, a 2024 Freedom of Information (FoI) release revealed that even without Western 2, there was a case for extracting power from North Wales, but not South Wales. This revelation raises questions about the project's original rationale, especially considering the 2022 National Grid statement to a parliamentary select committee advocating for a comprehensive transmission solution in Mid Wales due to the abundance of onshore wind opportunities. By 2024, the wind farm locations had shifted, and National Grid conducted a screening study, identifying Baglan in Neath Port Talbot as a feasible alternative to Pentir.
The decision to land Western 2 in North Wales, despite the majority of future electricity demand in South Wales, further fuels the debate. Dr. Dean poses several questions: Why is there a need to transport power out of North Wales without Western 2? Is it solely for the Mona offshore wind farm's connection to Bodelwyddan? Why not utilize Baglan, which is equally viable? The potential connection to the proposed Wylfa nuclear power station on Anglesey adds another layer of complexity. Additionally, the feasibility of a sub-sea connection between Scotland and South Wales prompts the question of why an onshore pylon route is necessary for North Wales to South Wales.
Dr. Dean also brings up the Holistic Network Design (HND) update, which doubled the capacity of Western 2, presenting it as a separate cable into Bodelwyddan. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) claims indifference to the landing site, but Dr. Dean suspects that the North-South connection might not commence at Pentir due to the Eryri pylon issue. With the Pentir Trawsfynydd line's capacity upgrade, there's a surplus of power from Scotland, Wylfa, and the Irish Sea, leaving the necessity of onshore generation in doubt.
This proposal has ignited a debate that extends beyond the technicalities. It raises questions about the environmental impact, the balance of power distribution, and the potential economic implications for Wales. As the consultation progresses, the outcome will significantly influence the future of Wales' energy infrastructure and the landscape that Dr. Dean and many others cherish.
