Wales strikes deal to speed up renewable energy schemes
Getty ImagesPlans to speed up delivery of windfarms, solar parks and tidal power schemes have been set out as part of a new deal between the renewable energy industry and the Welsh government.
It follows warnings from the sector that Wales was "behind the rest of the UK" in getting new projects built.
Ministers have said the impact of the current conflict in the Middle East on oil and gas prices makes achieving "energy independence" more important.
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales said large turbines and fields of solar panels must not be forced on communities, urging the government to focus on schemes out at sea.
Wales generated enough renewable power to meet 54% of the country's electricity use in 2024, according to latest figures, with ministers wanting to reach 100% by 2035.
The Labour run-government in Cardiff Bay called its new sector deal a "strategic partnership" with the industry "accelerating renewable deployment across onshore and offshore, wind, solar, marine and hydro".
There are 78 commitments - from streamlining the planning process to training up workers able to build and operate new schemes.
It said that developers and community organisations had been involved in the work, ensuring that local communities would "reap the benefits" from projects in their areas.
The announcement is being made on Anglesey (Ynys Môn), at the headquarters of an innovative tidal energy project.
Owned and managed by social enterprise Menter Môn and backed by Welsh government funding, Morlais provides the infrastructure and grid connection for developers to install and trial underwater turbines.
It is currently the largest scheme of its kind throughout Europe.
Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said Wales could be "a world leader in renewable energy, creating jobs and green growth".
"The current conflict in the Middle East has further highlighted the importance of energy independence," she said.
"Our Renewable Energy Sector Deal will provide a strong foundation for the future delivery of renewable energy - to the benefit of our economy, environment and energy security."
Getty ImagesIndustry leaders welcomed the announcement with Renewable UK Cymru saying it would help unlock a "£10bn opportunity for Welsh businesses", 8,000 jobs and £183m in community benefits.
In a report outlining its asks of the parties ahead of May's Senedd election, the organisation had warned Wales was failing to capitalise on its "world-class natural resources".
"Over the last decade Scotland has secured more than £18bn in new investment support for clean energy, while Wales has attracted less then £1bn," it said.
Rising electricity demand to support the switch to electric vehicles, heat pumps, data centres and AI-driven industries meant without "a major increase in clean power generation, Wales risks higher bills, weaker energy security and falling further behind economically".
Chair of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales on Anglesey, Jonathan Dean, said ministers were "tripping themselves up big time" by pushing for more onshore wind and solar power.
"We're not saying don't build anything onshore. If communities want it, great, but there's no pressing need for it," he said, claiming Wales could meet its renewable energy targets via large offshore schemes at sea.
"People don't want a huge windfarm towering over their village," he said, predicting the issue would be high on the agenda in the upcoming election campaign.
What do the parties say?
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said the government's "so-called 'sector deal' raises more questions than it answers".
"There is no clear plan for how we build the workforce needed, with no detail on training, skills or apprenticeships to deliver the green jobs Wales needs," she said.
"Ministers also promise benefits for communities, but without minimum standards or enforcement, there is no guarantee local people will see the rewards."
Wales Green Party Leader, Anthony Slaughter, said: "With Green support surging, other parties are desperately playing catch up.
"These headline targets are lifted straight from the Welsh Green manifesto - a clear sign of our growing appeal just six weeks before the Senedd elections.
"They're only doing this under pressure - Greens genuinely believe renewables will deliver, both for the climate and in reducing people's energy bills."
Plaid Cymru's energy spokesman Luke Fletcher said: "In our first 100 days in government, we would build new partnerships between government and key stakeholders and develop Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru into a single, consolidated energy company to develop renewables and to help reduce energy bills".
Reform UK Wales's manifesto includes a ban on new onshore wind farms and solar farms saying the country had "reached saturation point with unreliable, weather-dependent renewables that blight the Welsh countryside".
A spokesperson said the party had also "announced plans to bring down energy bills by taking on green subsidies that have been piling misery on households".
The Welsh Conservatives spokesperson for energy, Samuel Kurtz, said renewables "will play a role in our future energy mix, alongside reliable sources such as oil, gas and nuclear".
"The priority must be ensuring that these projects deliver tangible outcomes: skilled jobs, investment and clear benefits for local communities," he said.
The party was "committed to supporting the growth of marine energy, including floating offshore wind, while also advancing nuclear opportunities at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd," he added.
BBC Wales Your Voice Live: Ask the Leader wants you to be in the audience and put your questions to the leaders of Wales' parties.
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