Wales plans to ban steel pylons with underground cables consultation

The Welsh government has announced plans to prohibit the use of traditional steel pylons for supporting electricity lines within its jurisdiction. The policy shift aims to preserve natural landscapes and protect local communities from the visual and environmental impacts of large energy infrastructure.

This initiative follows a manifesto pledge made by Plaid Cymru prior to the Senedd election in May. Ministers from the party have consistently championed burying electrical circuits underground as a preferred alternative to erecting massive lattice structures across the countryside.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

The policy launch comes amid fierce local backlash against a network of proposed pylons in the Towy Valley by Green Gen Cymru. The firm planned to connect onshore wind farms to the wider grid as part of a nearly £1bn investment by 2030, affecting regions including Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Powys, and Shropshire.

While the Welsh government argues that underground cables reduce visual intrusion, protect infrastructure from severe weather, and minimize hazards to wildlife and birds, the consultation document acknowledges potential drawbacks. It notes that undergrounding is generally more expensive to install and maintain while causing construction disruptions.