ScottishPower Energy Networks is to extend the consultation period for its proposals to connect a number of windfarm projects in Mid Wales to the electricity Grid. After recently announcing additional consultation events, the company has extended the date for responses until 7th July to ensure that as many people as possible can express their views.

The company will also be attending a number of follow-up public meetings in the coming weeks, and wants to ensure that anyone attending these meetings has sufficient time to consider the details of proposals and feed back their comments.

ScottishPower Energy Networks is consulting on plans to connect up to 700MW of new renewable energy generation from at least 10 windfarms in Mid Wales. This is being considered in parallel with National Grid who will construct a new substation and a new transmission connection to the existing national electricity grid. The final location of the proposed National Grid substation – which is also subject to consultation – will determine the broad outline of the routes required for ScottishPower’s connections.

The company is consulting on two different proposals, taking into account the two potential locations of National Grid’s substation. The consultation process and input from local communities will help to establish a preferred route, which will then be subject to further consultation.

ScottishPower Energy Networks Project Manager, Steven Edwards, said: “The most important aspect of any consultation is ensuring that as many people as possible have the opportunity to consider the proposals and to make their views known. We have now carried out over 30 information days and have attended around 20 further public meetings with more arranged.

“Once this initial consultation stage comes to a close, we will carefully consider all of the feedback. We will also ensure that communities are kept fully up-to-date on all future activity on the project and will publish as early as possible our plans for the next stage of the consultation.”

Media Information: Paul Ferguson, 0141 566 4515 / 07702 665 924

Notes to editors:

• Further information regarding the proposed project and consultation can be accessed at http://www.spmidwalesconnections.info/
• ScottishPower Energy Networks owns and operates the electricity transmission and distribution network in the south of Scotland and the distribution network in Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales.
• As the network operator we maintain and repair the electrical equipment and network assets that transport electricity to around 3.5 million homes and business.
• We manage approximately 115,000 km of power lines and over 90,000 substations across our network areas.