Back

Wales Consults on Underground-First Electricity Line Policy

lite News Desk 1 min read

New electricity lines rated 11–132 kV would be installed underground as the preferred option under a Welsh.

Government planning proposal covering lines within its devolved powers. The government says the policy would also rule out large steel lattice pylons for those lines.

A consultation published on 23 October 2026 seeks views on how to implement the proposed policy. It is not confirmation that the requirements have taken effect. According to the consultation, overhead lines would remain an option only where specified planning tests are met, with infrastructure restricted to low wooden poles or an equivalent that is less intrusive.

The proposal does not cover every new electricity line in Wales. In a statement to the Senedd on 17 June 2026, Cabinet Minister Siân Gwenllian said responsibility for consenting to lines rated above 132 kV rests with the UK Government. Those lines would therefore fall outside Welsh ministers’ consent responsibilities and the proposed Welsh policy.

Implementation work was already under way before the October consultation, according to a written answer dated 13 August 2026. In that answer, the Welsh Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy stated that work was in progress on the commitment concerning steel lattice pylons for new lines in the 11–132 kV range, and that another update would follow.

Adam Price, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said in a written statement that a further statement setting out the next steps would follow the consultation in early 2027.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

More from Climate & Energy

  1. The net-zero goal is conditional on international support, technology transfers, concessional loans and private investment.

  2. The NSTA said production depends on completing outstanding development work; the government forecasts the earliest supply for the end of October 2026.

  3. UNEP estimates the pathway requires global emissions to fall 45% by 2035 from 2025 levels.

  4. The proposed 360 MWh system could cut refinery emissions by about 67,000 tonnes a year, ARENA estimates. Front-end design work is underway.

  5. ARENA approved $3.6 million for engineering; up to $38 million for deployment depends on a successful study, according to the agency.