The Welsh Government have finally published the long-awaited report and recommendations from the Independent Advisory Group on Future Electricity Grid for Wales (IAG) just hours after landowners won the right to Judicially Review the behaviours of Green GEN Cymru - the company who have proposed miles and miles of overhead power lines carried by out-of-date pylon infrastructure here in Wales.

The IAG advisory group convened by the Welsh government and chaired by Professor Hywel Thomas, has spent well over a year evaluating how Wales should plan, design and deliver electricity grid infrastructure to support its clean energy ambitions. The report is intended to guide future policy and planning decisions on electricity network upgrades and expansions in the name of decarbonisation as demand for electricity is set to grow.

The Countryside Alliance have engaged with the Welsh government prior to the group’s establishment and throughout its work. We were invited to give oral evidence to the IAG in February 2024 where we strongly advised that the true cost of undergrounding new electricity lines should not be counted in only pounds and pence. The evidence was gathered from members and supporters with direct, first-hand experience of overhead line projects, both existing schemes and future proposals. Rachel Evans, Director for Wales presented our findings to the IAG and highlighted the impact of poorly planned and communicated proposals using steel pylons to carry the power lines on people’s health and wellbeing, the economy and the landscape.

The IAG report highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with modernising Wales’s electricity grid. It recognises that Wales’s electricity system must evolve not just to support increased demand, but also to do so in a way that is socially acceptable, environmentally sensitive and economically practical.

A theme very central to the report is the need for improved communication, transparency and public engagement around grid infrastructure projects. The IAG recommended that the Welsh Government develop a clear communication strategy to help people understand why grid upgrades are necessary, what they entail, and how local communities will be supported or compensated during the transition. It also stresses the importance of accessible information on project timelines, decision-making processes and opportunities for public input.

The IAG has suggested commissioning comparative studies on the costs and environmental impacts of different grid technologies and techniques — for example, comparing traditional overhead lines with alternatives like cable ploughing. The Countryside Alliance has long called for new power cables to be placed underground and have witnessed first-hand the capabilities of the cable plough. This quick, clean and precise method minimises ground disturbance and leaves no lasting impact on the beauty of the landscape.

When it comes to policy and planning guidance, the IAG has called for a review of existing frameworks to enhance transparency and ensure all relevant costs, impacts and benefits are considered in infrastructure decisions. This is where the evidence gathered by the Countryside Alliance regarding the wider costs of overhead lines and pylons is again incredibly relevant, as we reiterate our point that not every aspect of development can be strictly monetised.

It is worth noting that the report was published with broad but not unanimous support from group members, reflecting ongoing debate about grid development priorities in Wales. Despite differences, the majority agreed to releasing the report.

In the meantime, a large group of landowners working with law firm New South Law have won the right to a legal challenge. At the High Court in Cardiff on Tuesday 20 January, the judge granted permission for a Judicial Review to proceed into the process and behaviour adopted by Green GEN. A date is yet to be set. Community groups will take their concerns directly to the steps of the Senedd on Wednesday the 11 February in a planned protest.