Wales Consults on Underground-First Policy for New Power Lines

The Welsh Government is consulting on an “underground-first” policy for new electricity lines in the 11kV–132kV range. The proposal would make underground installation the default and aims to eliminate large steel lattice pylons from new devolved power-line infrastructure across Wales. It is framed as a policy consultation about the practical design and operational implementation of the approach—not as a procurement notice, project award, or announcement of specific funded work. No project value, procurement contact, or consultation deadline is provided in the supplied information.

The proposal recognizes that Wales will need additional electricity-network capacity to serve homes, businesses, and transport as it pursues its 2040 net-zero targets. At the same time, it prioritizes reducing visual and environmental impacts on communities that host new infrastructure. Overhead construction would remain possible, but only where it passes specified planning tests and uses low wooden poles or comparable lower-impact infrastructure rather than large steel lattice structures. That exception means the policy would not categorically prohibit overhead lines; it would establish a preferred approach and conditions for alternatives.

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy Adam Price said the move fulfills a manifesto commitment to make undergrounding the default for new infrastructure. The source also reports support from Andrew RT Davies, Shadow Minister for Farming and the Environment, who cited protecting rural landscapes from large-scale steel structures where less intrusive alternatives are available. For industry, this combination of network-expansion needs and landscape-impact considerations signals a potential shift in design assumptions for future line projects, if the proposal is adopted. It does not establish that any particular project will be built or procured.

GovCon and infrastructure suppliers should treat the signal as an early policy indicator, not near-term pipeline revenue. Underground cable suppliers, civil engineering firms, and grid-design providers may have relevant capabilities for future work involving lines in the specified voltage range. Contractors can assess experience in cable installation, route engineering, construction planning, and the operational integration of underground assets, while tracking the consultation and any subsequent policy or project notices. Because no solicitation, funding figure, procurement contact, or deadline is identified, firms should avoid treating the report as an active bid opportunity or assuming that the proposal has already become a binding requirement.

• The proposal would make undergrounding the default for new 11kV–132kV electricity lines in Wales.
• Overhead lines could still be considered if they pass planning tests and use low wooden poles or similar lower-impact infrastructure.
• The stated objectives include reducing visual and environmental impacts on host communities while expanding capacity for homes, businesses, and transport.
• The policy context includes Wales’s 2040 net-zero targets and a manifesto commitment cited by Cabinet Minister Adam Price.
• Shadow Minister Andrew RT Davies is reported to support protecting rural landscapes from large-scale steel structures where less intrusive alternatives exist.
• Potentially relevant supplier capabilities include underground cable supply, civil engineering, grid design, route planning, and installation.
• The policy remains under consultation; the source does not establish an enacted requirement or a current solicitation.
• No project value, procurement contact, or consultation deadline is provided, so this is an early policy signal rather than a funded opportunity.