Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Accepted
Paragraph: 49
While we understand that the UK Government must consider the energy and network needs of...
Conclusion
While we understand that the UK Government must consider the energy and network needs of the UK as a whole, we consider that it would be inequitable if the UK were to benefit from Wales’ natural resources for renewable energy generation while Welsh households, businesses and industry were not adequately connected to the grid.
Government Response Summary
The Government states that strategic planning will always take account of network needs in Wales, pointing to the Holistic Network Design (HND) as the first step towards a Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP), and mentioning Welsh Government representatives input.
Paragraph Reference:
49
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Strategic planning of the network will always take account of network needs in Wales along with other parts of Great Britain and longer-term strategic planning will be key to unlocking the required investment to deliver a secure, resilient and net zero-ready network. The Holistic Network Design (HND) is the first step towards a Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP), where the ESO works with network owners to identify priority projects and coordinate them, recommending a way forward to Ofgem in terms of approving certain projects. This strategic approach will help to speed up network delivery, with coordinated design through the HND expected to save £5.5 billion of consumer costs. Using this strategic network planning approach, Ofgem can enable network companies to invest strategically ahead of need to support network development in Wales and the rest of Great Britain and mitigate constraints. The HND recommended connection to Bodelwyddan and associated transmission infrastructure for the 1.5GW Mona project in the Irish Sea and an initial design for 1GW of Celtic Sea floating wind capacity connecting to Pembroke Dock. The HND Follow Up Exercise will recommend a design for 4GW of floating wind capacity and consider the most appropriate connection points and associated onshore reinforcements. Welsh Government representatives directly fed into the HND through monthly meetings on the Offshore Transmission Network Review (OTNR) governance forums including the Project Board and Working Group and provide ongoing support for the HND Follow Up Exercise. All potential connection points in South Wales will be assessed while balancing cost, technical feasibility, environmental impact, and community impact design objectives.