Calls for ban on new pylons

Local TV

Wales’ natural wildlife is something to be protected, so Senedd Members are calling on the Welsh Government to ban new pylons and make sure our rivers are kept clear of pollution.

Transcript

00:00Wales' natural landscapes are breathtaking.

00:04We've got some of the most dramatic and beautiful spaces anywhere in the world.

00:08But there are concerns that too much is being taken over by different energy infrastructure,

00:12particularly things like pylons.

00:14Welsh Conservative Janice Finch Saunders wants to know why underground solutions

00:18to pylons aren't being taken up by the Welsh Government.

00:21There are numerous reasons why we should really be having a mandate

00:26that says no pylon construction unless absolutely necessary,

00:31no other way possible.

00:33There's no reason why they can't go underground.

00:35It takes seven years to recoup the cost.

00:39It takes seven years to recoup the cost and then you've got your pylons,

00:43you've got your underground works in and everybody then is happy.

00:47So with this in mind, will you, Cabinet Secretary,

00:51please look at bringing forward some kind of mandate for electricity cable

01:00to be placed under the ground and again for pylons to be used as a last resort.

01:05We've actually put in place the Independent Advisory Group on Future Electricity for Grid for Wales.

01:10They're looking at possible approaches to delivering the electricity network,

01:14but I come back to the point that this isn't simply a question of energy generation,

01:18it's energy supply as well to all those parts of Wales that need it,

01:21and in some ways we're going to need to get that electricity to and fro all of these areas,

01:25including those areas that need economic development that relies on an electricity grid.

01:30And, you know, I've said, you know as well, you're a member of the Climate Change Committee,

01:35our electricity demand is going to double and possibly triple by 2050.

01:40So I think we all have to seriously wrestle with these issues.

01:44Our rivers, coasts and waterways all across Wales are suffering from pollution.

01:49There is an ongoing lawsuit taken up by thousands of residents over pollutions in rivers in mid and east Wales.

01:55And some bathing areas in Wales have been deemed too polluted for humans to enter.

01:59So Senedd members want answers.

02:01In the meantime, we know that Natural Resources Wales has been awarded nearly £2 million to double down on tackling pollution and polluters.

02:10So what use has Natural Resources made of this money to take some exemplary action against polluters,

02:18so everyone gets the message that there are consequences of non-compliance?

02:23In fact, the total committed since the regulations were introduced is well over £4 million,

02:28in addition to the near £2 million over the last year there.

02:32So the enforcement approach is actually driving change now within the sector.

02:36Compliance levels are improving.

02:38So the improvement levels are up by 12% between June 2024 and March 2025.

02:44We've still got a lot further to go, Jenny, I've got to say as well, OK?

02:48But that is a significant improvement and I think there is a correlation between the additional resource being put in.

02:54Part of it is the collaboration and part of it is the enforcement as well.

03:00So, indeed, for planning, we're going to take a look at the

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