Select Committee · Welsh Affairs Committee

Renewable energy in Wales

Status: Closed Opened: 23 Nov 2020 Closed: 15 Nov 2021 12 recommendations 8 conclusions 1 report

We will look at how the UK Government, in cooperation with Welsh Ministers, can best support the development of renewable energy in Wales. This will include the potential significance of COP26 for Wales. Read the inquiry launch and terms of reference

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales HC 439 29 Jul 2021 20 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
8 Conclusion Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal… Accepted

The shift to a net zero economy will be one of the most significant economic...

The shift to a net zero economy will be one of the most significant economic transformations in decades. It will have far reaching consequences for communities and individuals across the UK, for livelihoods and lifestyles. While this decarbonisation journey offers potentially rich rewards, it also contains significant risks for the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for a comprehensive strategy to upskill the workforce for the net-zero economy, referencing its Ten Point Plan and investments in skills. It highlights the Green Jobs Taskforce, launched last year, specifically tasked with addressing skills for the low-carbon transition.
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Wales Office
9 Recommendation Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal… Accepted

If the UK Government intends to ensure that jobs will not be lost during the...

If the UK Government intends to ensure that jobs will not be lost during the transition to a greener economy, it needs to work with the business sector and stakeholders including the Welsh Government to develop a comprehensive strategy for upskilling the current workforce, leveraging new opportunities and tackling the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government highlights its Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution and the establishment of the Green Jobs Taskforce last year. This taskforce was already convened with stakeholders to advise on skills and a reskilling strategy, addressing the committee's recommendation.
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Wales Office
16 Conclusion Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal… Accepted

We received a considerable amount of evidence arguing that grid capacity issues are currently significantly...

We received a considerable amount of evidence arguing that grid capacity issues are currently significantly hindering renewable energy deployment throughout Wales, and are likely to continue to do so in the future. If the UK Government is unaware of the severity of this issue, it would suggest that their engagement … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that network regulation is a matter for Ofgem but is working with them to enable anticipatory investment by network companies. It details significant existing and planned investments in Welsh transmission and distribution networks, and highlights the ongoing Offshore Transmission Network Review which …
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Wales Office
17 Recommendation Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal… Accepted

The UK Government must recognise that Wales’ increase in renewable energy development and generation may...

The UK Government must recognise that Wales’ increase in renewable energy development and generation may be significantly hindered by grid constraints if action is not taken. To mitigate this risk, the UK Government must work in collaboration Renewable energy in Wales 29 with Ofgem to plan anticipatory investment in Wales, … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government confirms it is working with Ofgem to enable anticipatory investment in network infrastructure and cites significant current and planned investment across Great Britain and specifically in South and Mid Wales. It also highlights the Offshore Transmission Network Review, which is developing a plan-led …
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Wales Office

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
29 Apr 2021 David T C Davies · Wales Office, Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy View ↗
15 Apr 2021 Juliet Davenport · Good Energy, Maf Smith · Lumen Energy and Environment, Michelle Davies · Eversheds Sutherland View ↗
18 Mar 2021 Frank Elsworth · Vattenfall, Gary Newman · Wood Knowledge Wales, Huub den Rooijen · The Crown Estate, Matthieu Hue · EDF Renewables, Robert Proctor · Community Energy Wales, Simon Hamlyn · British Hydropower Association View ↗
4 Mar 2021 Christoph Harwood · Simply Blue Energy, Jess Hooper · Marine Energy Wales, Paul Hewett · Belltown Power, Tom Glover · RWE Generation View ↗
28 Jan 2021 Hywel Lloyd · Institute of Welsh Affairs, Professor Nick Jenkins · Cardiff University, Rhys Wyn Jones · RenewableUK View ↗

Who gave evidence

18 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Christoph Harwood · Director of Policy and Strategy Simply Blue Energy 1
David T C Davies · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Wales Office 1
Frank Elsworth · Head of Onshore Business Development Vattenfall 1
Gary Newman · Chief Executive Wood Knowledge Wales 1
Huub den Rooijen · Managing Director, Marine The Crown Estate 1
Hywel Lloyd · Chair of Re-energising Wales project advisory boa… Institute of Welsh Affairs 1
Jess Hooper · Programme Manager Marine Energy Wales 1
Juliet Davenport · Founder and CEO Good Energy 1
Maf Smith · Director Lumen Energy and Environment 1
Matthieu Hue · Chief Executive Officer EDF Renewables 1
Michelle Davies · International Head of Clean Energy and Sustainabi… Eversheds Sutherland 1
Paul Hewett · CEO Belltown Power 1
Professor Nick Jenkins · Leader of the Centre for Integrated Energy Genera… Cardiff University 1
Rhys Wyn Jones · Head of RenewableUK Cymru RenewableUK 1
Robert Proctor · Business Development Manager Community Energy Wales 1
Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan · Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Cha… Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 1
Simon Hamlyn · CEO British Hydropower Association 1
Tom Glover · UK Country Chair RWE Generation 1