National Assembly for Wales

This Senedd:

1. Notes that:
a) NESO plans a high tension, possibly pylon, link between Bangor and Swansea;
b) this could cut through Eryri and Bannau Brycheiniog National Parks and Cambrian Mountains;
c) National Grid’s Holford Rules state that new high voltage overhead lines should avoid national park altogether if possible;
d) undergrounding high tension lines through national parks can be expensive and ecologically damaging;
e) NESO’s plans include undersea cables.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to make clear its view to the Department for Environment and Climate Change that offshoring the link around west Wales should be the preferred option, subject to satisfactory environmental assessment.