Carwyn Jones did not criticise, condemn or express any disapproval of this week’s publication of plans to build a substation and pylons in the region.
However, referring to wind farm development and speaking in June last year, Mr Jones said “the Welsh Government believes this level of development is unacceptable in view of its wider impacts on the local area." He went on to say “my government would not support the construction of large pylons in mid Wales”.
As recently as June, and in response to a Welsh Conservative oral question in the Senedd, Carwyn Jones claimed a government letter to chief planning officers remained the case and ‘was still correct’. The letter categorically stated that ‘there is no need for the large, visually intrusive, high voltage grid network infrastructure and associated substation of the kind proposed within Mid Wales.’
In a statement issued following the National Grid’s announcement this week, the government welcomed the publication, made reference to a ‘T’ tower pylon design and called the plans a ‘significant upgrade to the energy infrastructure of mid-Wales’.
Shadow Minister for Environment, Russell George AM, said:
“There is absolutely no reason for anyone in Mid Wales to trust this First Minister.
“He has betrayed our communities and backtracked on his previous public statements of opposition.
“Rather than hide behind a government statement, it’s time for Carwyn Jones to lift his head from his trench and make his apparently revised views crystal clear to mid Wales.”
Mr George went on to dispute the government’s response to the National Grid announcement and reaffirm his own opposition to the proposals:
“These hideous plans will ruin large parts of mid Wales’ beautiful countryside and it is outrageous that the Welsh Government should suggest this project is needed to support economic development.
“This is ineffective spin that will not disguise the scarred landscape and wrecked communities that we are soon to become victim to.
“Communities will rightly question whether the First Minister has ever truly contested these plans and if this outcome was inevitable – despite his public political game playing.”
Following the announcement by National Grid, a Welsh Government spokesperson said:
"While the Welsh Government is not responsible for the National Grid, we welcome the publication of these proposals as they will reduce uncertainty for some local communities.
"The Welsh Government is committed to supporting the development of renewable energy generation but our communities need to see real benefits from such developments.
"We have engaged with the National Grid and Scottish Power Energy Networks on their infrastructure proposals and have emphasised the importance of ensuring that such proposals are appropriate and sensitive to local communities and the environment.
"In particular, we would like the above ground infrastructure to take the form of the new, smaller ‘T’ tower pylon design and cables to be undergrounded where appropriate.
"A modern, efficient and reliable energy infrastructure is important for business and communities. As well as facilitating renewables, this will allow the power generated to be utilised in the area. This is a significant upgrade to the energy infrastructure of mid-Wales will provide additional network capacity to support economic development and further enhance security of supply.
"The Welsh Government will continue to liaise with National Grid and Scottish Power Energy Networks regarding their proposals. We would also encourage those living in the communities concerned to engage with National Grid and Scottish Power Energy Networks regarding the further developments of the proposals to reduce the visual/environmental impact and to ensure that the economic benefits to Wales are maximised."
The letter that Environment Minister, John Griffiths AM, sent to Chief Planning Officers in July 2011, clearly shows the Welsh Government did not believe that large, intrusive infrastructure was necessary for Mid Wales. That letter can be found here:
http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/110706planningtan8letteren.pdf