National Grid Opens Consultations on Pentir–Trawsfynydd Network Upgrade in North Wales

National Grid has launched four pre-application consultations on plans to reinforce and refurbish the electricity network between Pentir and Trawsfynydd in North Wales. The consultations are open until Wednesday, 15 October.

The project is part of the Great Grid Upgrade, described as the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations. National Grid states that the work aims to meet rising energy demand, help relieve pressure on the existing network, support the Welsh government’s energy security and clean power goals, and reduce constraint costs, which occur when there is insufficient grid capacity to move power where it is needed.

The consultations follow public information events held in May that allowed local residents to review initial plans, ask questions, and meet the project team.

Suzanne Crouch, Portfolio Director for Pentir to Trawsfynydd, said, “We will take into consideration the feedback received during this pre-application consultation to help refine our proposals before submitting our planning applications to Cyngor Gwynedd and Eryri National Park later this year."

“To meet rising electricity demand and allow new sources of clean, home-grown energy to reach homes and businesses, we need to reinforce and refurbish the existing electricity network between Pentir and Trawsfynydd," Crouch said. "This will help to make our energy supply more secure, independent and deliver long-term benefits to bill payers.”

The 28-day consultations invite feedback on draft planning applications covering four main elements:

• Installing new and replacement underground cables and other equipment within the existing substation site at Pentir

• Replacing 5.8 km of underground cables beneath the Glaslyn Estuary at Porthmadog from Wern to Minffordd

• Constructing a new substation south of Bryncir

• Installing new and replacement underground cables and other equipment within the existing substation site at Trawsfynydd