North Wales Wind Farms Connection Project
Powering North Wales with sustainable connections for a greener future
North Wales, UK
North Wales has been recognised as an important location for renewable energy generation. In 2016, SP Energy Networks received Development Consent Order (DCO) approval for the North Wales Wind Farm Connection, which links several new wind farms to the electricity distribution network.
The proposed wind farms were concentrated in Strategic Search Area A, one of seven designated by the Welsh Government for large-scale wind power developments.
SP Energy Networks secured agreements with multiple wind farms to deliver the necessary infrastructure, including a new substation to collect power and a 132kV connection to the existing St Asaph substation.
Gillespies provided environmental and planning support, including route appraisals for the proposed power line, landscape and visual impact assessments (LVIAs), community consultation facilitation, and the coordination of the Environmental Statement and Planning Statement.
Following the DCO application submission, the team assisted throughout the determination process, responding to queries from the Examining Authority and appearing as expert witnesses.
The DCO was granted in July 2016 and Requirements have now been discharged. The overhead line is now complete.
Project details
Title
North Wales Wind Farms Connection Project
Client
Scottish Power Energy Networks
Status
Complete
Gillespies team
Sarah Gibson, Helen Johnson
