Agenda and minutes

Items
No. Item

1.

Question from: County Councillor Kathryn Silk Subject: Electric charging points

 

Question From:

County Councillor Kathryn Silk 

Subject:

Electric charging points

Question To:

County Councillor Heulwen Hulme

Portfolio Holder for Environment

 

Question:

 

It is gratifying to see that electric charging points are finally being installed in Powys’ car parks.  However, the planned roll out appears disproportionately to favour the north of county.  When can sizeable settlements in the south of the county such as Crickhowell and Ystradgynlais expect charging points to be installed in their car parks?

 

Minutes:

Response by the Portfolio Holder:

 

As you are aware we intend to install 16no. electric charge points at 8no. sites across Powys, two of which have recently gone live, and we are continuing to progress the commissioning of the rest of the phase 1 schemes over the coming months.

 

The sites were chosen based on geographical coverage, likely demand and results of the survey carried out in 2019. There are currently 4no. sites being progressed in the north (Machynlleth, Newtown, Welshpool, Llanidloes) and 4no. in the south of the county (Llandrindod Wells, Presteigne, Builth Wells, Brecon).

 

The delivery is dependent on various factors but predominantly reliant on the power supply and connection, and Scottish Power have progressed forward ahead of Western Power that has meant the north sites have gone live first. It was felt in order to maximise the benefits of the investment that sites go live as soon as they are ready for use rather than wait until the last site is ready before going live with all sites.

 

It should be noted that in some locations costs of connections are significantly higher and make the investment less viable in respect of the terms of grant available and have therefore been deferred until suitable funding comes available or alternative solution found.

 

Crickhowell and Ystradgynlais will however, form part of the second phase of development subject to securing the available funding. Unfortunately, this year we were not successful in our bid to Welsh Government for further funding but we will continue to pursue further funding opportunities in the future.