Terms of reference

The purpose of the group is to build an understanding of the possible approaches to delivering electricity infrastructure, to create a public evidence base and to produce a set of agreed principles for determining the most appropriate solutions for Wales.

The group will:

• Review current electricity grid infrastructure and capacity in Wales.
• Consider the high-level challenges and opportunities related to the future electricity grid and the pace of delivery required to achieve the Welsh Government’s net zero targets
• Engage technical experts to disseminate relevant information to members drawn from a range of stakeholders across Wales.
• Review information and put forward existing information for review, relevant to the purpose of the group.
• Create an accessible evidence base about the future needs of Wales, including cost, impact and benefit of different approaches to building grid infrastructure.  
• Build consensus on an evidence-based, practicable set of principles for electricity grid development in Wales, with consideration to the public and community perspective, socio-economic duty, the environment and the wellbeing of future generations.

The findings of the group will be used as a reference base to inform Welsh Government policy and guidance for electricity conveyance infrastructure. They will be published and proactively communicated to a wide audience. The work will form a base of reference for policy and planning in relation to acceptable electricity infrastructure in Wales.

The IAG will consist of experts from various fields including energy, engineering, environmental science, economics, community interest and policy. Meetings will be chaired by an independent chair, with secretariat provided by Welsh Government officials. Members have been invited based on their expertise, community connections or interest. Attendance is not to be delegated without agreement of the chair.

The group will meet monthly beginning in June 2024 and will present its findings to the Welsh Government in December 2024. 

The group will be a collaborative enabling forum.

The meetings will be organised by the Welsh Government. This includes the preparation of agendas, collating supporting papers and the preparation of meeting notes. Members of the group will agree agenda and focus topics. Any information sent as discussion papers will be shared on a confidential basis and should not be shared with others without prior agreement from the chair and secretariat. 

Updates and contributions to meeting documentation should be provided in time to allow papers to be circulated a week prior to the relevant meeting.

The members agree to attend monthly meetings, which will be virtual until otherwise agreed. The regularity of meetings will be reviewed as the work progresses. Additional meetings to discuss specific topics will also be an option. 

Sub-groups may be formed to support the work of this group. 

Relevant organisations or individuals may be invited to join specific meetings to provide expert technical knowledge. This will be done by agreement of this group or by the Chair’s recommendation. 

The purpose of the review is to provide an accessible evidence base to support public engagement and Welsh Government decision making. As such, expert testimony, papers and presentations received by the group will, subject to finalisation by the source, be published on the Welsh Governments website. The evidence, as the basis for conclusions and recommendations, will be attributable to its source.

However, discussions in the group will take place on a confidential basis. The final outcome of discussions will be agreed with the Welsh Government before publication. 

These Terms of Reference may be amended, varied or modified in writing after consultation, as agreed by the members. The named representatives from organisations may change.