9. Will the Minister make a statement on the environmental impact of the National Grid’s plans across Ynys Môn? OAQ(5)0050(ERA)[W]

There are a number of statutory requirements in place to ensure the National Grid considers the environmental impact of its proposals across Ynys Môn. The National Grid opened its latest consultation last week on the north Wales connection project to connect Wylfa Newydd to the existing grid.

The Cabinet Secretary will be aware of the decision by National Grid to place cables in a tunnel under the Menai strait. We hope to see a new bridge constructed to go with the Britannia bridge. I’m sure that the Cabinet Secretary would agree with me that there would be less environmental impact in placing those cables on that bridge, rather than actually building a bridge and digging a tunnel. But if the grid goes for the tunnel option in order to protect the natural environment of the Menai area, particularly the visual environment, isn’t the same thing true on the need to protect the natural environment of Anglesey as a whole, by undergrounding across the whole island?

The National Grid will need to complete an environment impact assessment. They need to be very sensitive to the environment, and that includes lines under the Menai strait, due to specific land designations. The First Minister is meeting the new chief executive of National Grid next week to discuss the work currently being undertaken, and that will include discussions about crossings of the Menai strait.

National Grid launched a consultation into the proposed location of pylons and a tunnel under the Menai strait on 5 October, running until 16 December, and I’m sure you’ll join me in encouraging residents to respond to that consultation. But how do you propose to address concerns expressed by the Pylon the Pressure group in north Wales that the wording of the Welsh Government’s technical advice note 8 policy document, that

‘laying high voltage cables underground is usually 6-20 times more expensive than a pole-mounted system’ is, I quote, ‘incorrect and misleading’?

I would encourage everyone who’s got an interest in this area to take part in the consultation. Obviously, it’s for the UK Government to consent to the National Grid’s north Wales reinforcement project, so, whilst we are involved in discussions, as I say, it is a matter for the UK Government to do that.