About us
Green GEN Cymru is proudly based in Wales and is developing green energy networks to meet the future needs of Wales’ people, communities, and businesses.
We have a vision for a healthier, wealthier Wales, that uses clean energy generation as a positive power locally and regionally, to create a more sustainable future for this and future generations.
Designing green energy pathways across Wales
As an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO), we’ll design, construct and maintain a new 132kV (132,000- volt) electricity distribution network - needed to connect new Welsh renewable energy projects to the electricity transmission network, helping to get green energy to homes and businesses across Wales and beyond.
Adopting renewable energy sources will have positive impacts on local communities right across the country. Connecting local generation to the National Grid is crucial for improving our energy independence and resilience and reducing our vulnerability to UK energy supply disruptions. Our new renewable network will create jobs and stimulate economic growth, reduce pollution, and improve public health.
Local and regional approach to a low carbon future
To stop using fossil fuels, we urgently need new sustainable and resilient infrastructure in Wales.
Our proposed network enables the direct connection of community and other renewable projects, while reducing pressure on the existing electricity grid, supporting energy resilience and enabling the rollout of green heating and electric vehicles.
A key goal in tackling the climate emergency is to generate more energy from renewable sources and phase out the use of fossil fuels.
To respond to this challenge and the Welsh Government’s target to meet the equivalent of 100% of Wales’ electricity needs from renewable sources by 2035, we’re developing a stronger, more resilient renewable electricity network that is greatly needed in Wales – distributing clean, green energy.
Why are these projects needed?
A resilient network for a low carbon future
The existing electricity network does not have sufficient capacity to connect new renewable energy generation to the national grid. We need to act now to build new electricity infrastructure to ensure our local communities can benefit from renewable energy generated in Wales as our nation moves away from reliance on fossil fuels.
The Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern Grid Connections, supported on wood poles, will connect Bute Energy’s Bryn Gilwern and Aberedw Energy Parks to a proposed new local distribution network at a new electricity switching station, located at the foot of Aberedw Hill, north-east of Builth Wells.
Bute Energy’s proposed Bryn Gilwern and Aberedw Energy Parks will have a combined wind generating capacity of 192 megawatts, enough to power around 175,700 homes and save approximately 261,500 tonnes of carbon per year.
To learn more Bute Energy's proposals, visit: aberedwenergypark.wales and bryngilwernenergypark.wales.
About the Bryn Gilwern and Aberedw projects
The two new 132kV overhead lines, supported on wood poles, will connect Bute Energy’s Bryn Gilwern and Aberedw Energy Parks to a proposed new local distribution network at a new electricity switching station, located at the foot of Aberedw Hill, north-east of Builth Wells.
The proposed Aberedw connection is just over 1 kilometre, and the Bryn Gilwern connection is approximately 5 kilometres.
The two overhead line connections are separate projects, each requiring individual feedback and separate applications to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). We are consulting on them together because they will both connect at the same location.
You can find more information on the two projects in our Non statutory consultation brochure September to October 2024.
What will the wood pole overhead line look like?
The overhead lines for the Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern grid connections will be supported on wood poles.
The poles are typically between 14 and 16 metres tall. The average distance between the wood poles, or ‘span length’ is approximately 110 metres. The exact wood pole heights and span lengths vary depending on the terrain or obstacles they cross, such as streams and rivers. Where the proposed lines change direction, angle poles will be required, with stay wires for stability.
An example of what the wood poles will look like
Switching station
The proposed switching station at the foot of Aberedw Hill will be similar in appearance to an electrical substation, such as the existing Builth Wells substation pictured below.
The switching station will also be a connection point for Bute Energy’s proposed Nant Mithil Energy Park (to be connected by the proposed Green GEN Towy Usk 132kV grid connection project). The plans for the switching station are being developed and will be included in the DNS application for the Green GEN Towy Usk grid connection project.
To find out more about the switching station, visit: greengentowyusk.com.
The planning process
New electricity lines of 132kV and above are classed as a Development of National Significance (DNS) in Wales. This requires consent from Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), with final decisions made by the Welsh Ministers.
The two overhead line connections are separate projects, each requiring individual feedback and separate applications to PEDW. We are consulting on them together because they will both connect at the same location.
All feedback from our Autumn 2024 consultation will be carefully considered as we develop our plans, along with the findings from technical assessments, environmental surveys, and input from specialist organisations. These organisations, such as Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will review the decisions we’ve made to date and provide advice to inform our work.
Before submitting the two separate planning applications to PEDW, we will conduct detailed technical and environmental studies and hold a statutory public consultation, planned in 2026. We will publish a report summarising the feedback from the non-statutory consultation and how this has influenced our proposals. This report will support the next public consultation, when people can provide input on the detailed route alignment, including the locations for the wood poles, access routes and working areas.
Once our proposals have been finalised, we will submit two separate applications to PEDW: one for the Aberedw connection and one for the Bryn Gilwern connection.
