2022 will mark a significant milestone with the start on-site of a project to transform a nationally significant Snowdonia landscape that will ultimately remove the overhead electricity line and pylons from across the Dwyryd Estuary.  

National Grid will begin the environmental and archaeological survey works this spring. This work which will continue through the summer will provide essential information for the detailed design of the project ready for main construction starting in 2023.  

In the Autumn, the team will start to establish the construction sites at Garth, near National Grid’s existing land, and at Cilfor, the locations for the two tunnel head houses at each end of the tunnel which will carry infrastructure under the estuary.  

This initial work will be followed from 2023 onwards with a programme of shaft sinking, tunnel construction, head house construction, cable installation and commissioning. Pylon removal is expected to take place following this, in 2029.  

National Grid will be working in partnership with main contractor Hochtief who successfully tendered for the work in an international competition which concluded at the end of last year.  

When complete, National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project, will see the removal of ten pylons and a roughly 3km stretch of existing overhead line, which runs from Minffordd, across the Dwyryd Estuary, and continues eastwards to just beyond Cilfor.  The project is designed to enhance the popular beauty spot for the many local people and visitors who regularly enjoy it. Click uk/80 for the tunnelbuilder archive. Visit https://snowdonia.nationalgrid.co.uk.  05/22.