Here you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Western Link 2 proposals.
We will continue to update these as the project progresses.
National Grid sits at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting millions of people and businesses to the energy they use every day. It is working to build a secure, cleaner and more affordable energy system that serves everyone, supporting the future of homes, transport and industry.
National Grid Electricity Transmission owns, maintains and operates the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. This network operates primarily at 400 kilovolts (kV) and 275 kV. National Grid Electricity Transmission is developing the plans for Western Link 2 in Wales.
Western Link 2 would reinforce the electricity transmission network, helping to carry electricity to and from Scotland and Wales. This would strengthen the UK’s energy security, support more home-grown renewable generation and help balance supply and demand as the energy system changes.
The project would also help connect new clean energy projects to areas of demand in north Wales and across the wider network, supporting the decarbonisation of the electricity system.
The project is still at an early stage of development. Current proposals include a landfall location, an underground cable connection to a new converter station near Pentir, and some extension works to the existing substation at Pentir.
The first stage of consultation, running from Tuesday 23 June to Tuesday 21 July, gives local communities the opportunity to learn more about the proposals and share feedback. Feedback from consultation, together with ongoing environmental and technical surveys, will help inform how the project develops.
Western Link 2 would need to carry electricity over a substantial distance. A route using primarily subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables was chosen over an onshore alternating current (AC) option to help reduce environmental and socioeconomic effects and minimise cost.
An onshore option would require a long route and would carry higher programme and delivery risks compared with an offshore solution.
The project is still at an early stage, so detailed plans for community benefits have not yet been set out. However, National Grid believes that communities hosting new energy infrastructure should benefit from doing so.
In line with government guidance on community funds for new transmission projects, community benefit funding would be available for communities living near Western Link 2 where new above-ground infrastructure is proposed. More detail will be shared as the proposals develop, including through consultation with local communities.
Electricity transmitted through Western Link 2 would connect into the wider transmission network before being distributed locally by the relevant Distribution Network Operator.
National Grid Electricity Transmission is responsible for the transmission system, which moves electricity across the energy system as a whole. Local distribution infrastructure, such as connections to homes, businesses and EV charging points, is managed by Distribution Network Operators.
Extensive ecological, technical and environmental assessments identified the Gwynedd coastline as the preferred location for the subsea cable landfall. Alternatives at Pentir, Wylfa South and Bodelwyddan, as well as sites in South Wales including Pembroke, Llanteg, Carmarthen/Llandyfaelog, Swansea North, Baglan Bay and Bridgend, were considered but not taken forward due to greater technical challenges and environmental or landscape impacts.
Some locations were also constrained by national designations such as National Parks. The preferred option connects to the existing substation at Pentir, where marine and land conditions are considered more favourable and where the project can help address wider network constraints.
The landfall site would include a transition joint bay, where the offshore and onshore cables would be connected. This would be housed in a permanent underground reinforced concrete chamber, together with associated earthing and monitoring equipment.
A single transition joint bay typically covers an area of around 60 square metres. A larger area would be needed temporarily during construction to accommodate equipment and storage.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is one potential trenchless method that could be used to install cables underground. HDD may be used at the landfall location, where there may be more environmental constraints and more sensitive ground conditions.
Exact construction methods have not yet been decided. Further detail will be shared at a later stage of consultation.
While the proposals have not yet been finalised, Western Link 2 is expected to consist primarily of underground cabling and a new converter station. No new pylons are currently proposed.