North Wales Wind Farms 132kV Connection Project

To design and route a new high voltage electricity connection between Clocaenog Wind Farm and St Asaph.

Under the terms of its distribution license, SP Energy Networks were required to supply a new high voltage electricity connection between Clocaenog Wind Farm and the national transmission network at St Asaph. The project comprised the design and routeing of this connection, including the siting of a new substation in the vicinity of the wind farm. The process followed established guidance including the Holford Rules, National Policy Statements and SP Energy Network’s sequential approach to routeing of overhead lines. This ensured that all issues were fully considered and that the route selected for the new infrastructure avoided the most sensitive, valued natural and man-made features and landscapes. The process was landscape-led, which ensured that landscape and visual issues were fully considered. LANDMAP data was used extensively throughout the project and the design and assessment was undertaken in tandem.

Following this process, a formal Environmental Impact Assessment was undertaken and the project, which was a Nationally Significant infrastructure Project (NSIP) was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and following a hearing, was granted a Development Consent Order and is now constructed.