ScottishPower Energy Networks will host additional consultation events regarding proposals to connect a number of new windfarm projects in Mid Wales to the electricity grid. The company is committed to hearing as many views as possible from local communities, and will now have held 28 events for the public to attend in this first round of consultation. The initial consultation period will also be extended until 6 weeks after the final event (20th June 2011).
The additional events are as follows:
- Thursday 28th April – Castle Caereinion Community Centre 1pm to 6pm
- Monday 2nd May – Berriew Public Meeting 7pm
- Friday 6th May – Welshpool Town Hall 2pm to 8pm
- Monday 9th May – Mochdre Community Centre 3pm to 7.30pm
Plans by ScottishPower Energy Networks to connect up to 700MW of new renewable energy generation from at least 10 windfarms in Mid Wales are 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 consultation events so far have been very well attended and it is important that we hear as many views as possible. We are committed to ensuring that communities have as much opportunity as possible to be part of the consultation process, and we hope that the additional events will also be well attended.”
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.