Welsh Energy Minister Adam Price said: “We know the necessary changes in the way energy is generated and used in Wales will require new grid infrastructure, however, we also know that new infrastructure can impact on the communities and the environment that hosts it.
“We want to see infrastructure that is sensitively designed to minimise impacts on the environment and the communities that host them, while offering the maximum benefits for Wales.”
Andrew Hardcastle, executive director at Green Gen Cymru, said: “We welcome the Welsh government’s consultation and its recognition of the importance of delivering the electricity infrastructure Wales needs in a way that is sensitive to our landscapes, environment and communities.
“Like all grid companies across the UK, we believe there is no one-size-fits-all solution to developing new electricity networks.
“Our approach is to use the right infrastructure in the right place, drawing on a range of technologies including underground cables, wooden poles and our recently announced lower-profile monopoles.”
The company said it was “pleased that the consultation recognises the potential role of less visually intrusive overhead infrastructure, including monopoles, and invites evidence on their use”.
Reform’s Senedd spokesperson for rural affairs, Laura Anne Jones, said: “As part of our energy policy, we will continue to push for new power lines to be placed underground wherever possible, protecting our landscapes and rural communities.
“Reform will always stand up for our countryside and fight against its industrialisation.”
Welsh Labour’s environment, rural affairs, energy and transport spokesperson, Vikki Howells said: “Burying cables can cost five times as much as overhead lines, making electric more expensive and decarbonisation more difficult.”
She said the sensible position was choosing the right engineering solution for the right landscape and “undergrounding should absolutely remain available where landscape, environmental or other circumstances justify it”.
The Welsh Conservatives welcomed the policy consultation.
The party’s environment spokesperson, Andrew RT Davies said: “We recognise that Wales needs a modern electricity network to support economic growth, but communities should not have to accept eyesores across our beautiful natural landscapes, which must be conserved.”
The consultation, external will run until 15 January 2027.