Wales plans to ban steel pylons as government launches consultation
The Welsh government has opened a consultation on banning large steel lattice pylons for new electricity lines up to 132 kilovolts where it has control, favouring buried cables instead. The proposal fulfils a Plaid Cymru manifesto pledge and follows strong local opposition to planned power lines; ministers say undergrounding could better protect landscapes, communities and wildlife.
The consultation recognises that buried cables are generally more expensive to install and maintain and can cause disruption during construction. Green Gen Cymru says undergrounding costs about 4.5 times as much as overhead lines, adding £500m to its proposed Towy Usk project. The government would still allow wooden poles or similarly less intrusive structures where planning tests are met; the consultation closes on 15 January 2027.
In short
- Wales is consulting on a ban on large steel pylons for new lines up to 132 kilovolts.
- The policy favours underground cables but acknowledges their higher costs and construction impacts.
- Green Gen Cymru estimates undergrounding would add £500m to its Towy Usk project.
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