Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
1
Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
The Crown Estate plays a crucial role in the management of the UK’s seabed and in ensuring that economic development arising from leases to developers works in tandem with the conservation and protection of our natural resources. We recognise that this is not an easy balance and we thank The …
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The Crown Estate plays a crucial role in the management of the UK’s seabed and in ensuring that economic development arising from leases to developers works in tandem with the conservation and protection of our natural resources. We recognise that this is not an easy balance and we thank The Crown Estate for their hard work and the judicious way in which they discharge their responsibilities.
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Government response AI summary
The government clarifies that The Crown Estate (TCE) is an independent body responsible for seabed management. It then details TCE's active role, including a confirmed new leasing round for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and the progress of three test projects, thereby acknowledging …
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Wales Office
2
Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
Over the course of our inquiry we heard significant demand from energy companies for additional seabed leases to be made available. These leases are essential to the development of offshore energy generation in Welsh waters. We therefore welcome the recent announcement from The Crown Estate of a new leasing opportunity …
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Over the course of our inquiry we heard significant demand from energy companies for additional seabed leases to be made available. These leases are essential to the development of offshore energy generation in Welsh waters. We therefore welcome the recent announcement from The Crown Estate of a new leasing opportunity for early commercial-scale floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. This new leasing opportunity will be particularly significant for the marine sector in Wales and, through its focus on projects of circa 300MW in scale, will be an important step towards the UK Government’s ambition to deliver 1 GW of floating wind by 2030.
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Government response AI summary
The government reiterates that The Crown Estate (TCE) is an independent body responsible for seabed management. It then details TCE's active role, including a confirmed new leasing round for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and the progress of three test projects, thereby acknowledging …
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Wales Office
4
Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme has been highly successful in supporting renewable energy development in Wales. However, emerging marine technologies such as wave and tidal require additional support to bridge the gap between innovation funding and CfDs.
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The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme has been highly successful in supporting renewable energy development in Wales. However, emerging marine technologies such as wave and tidal require additional support to bridge the gap between innovation funding and CfDs.
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Government response AI summary
The government points to existing mechanisms like the UK Community Renewal Fund and the CfD scheme's Pot 2 for less-established technologies. It states officials are engaging with tidal stream developers to explore cost-reduction and potential funding arrangements outside CfD.
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Wales Office
10
Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
Wales natural resources, coastline and all round renewable energy potential should mean that it benefits significantly from the UK Government’s Ten Point Plan for the Green Industrial Revolution. However, we are concerned that the UK Government has provided no information on how many of the jobs envisaged by the plan …
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Wales natural resources, coastline and all round renewable energy potential should mean that it benefits significantly from the UK Government’s Ten Point Plan for the Green Industrial Revolution. However, we are concerned that the UK Government has provided no information on how many of the jobs envisaged by the plan will be located in Wales.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges Wales' central role in the green industrial revolution and lists numerous specific funding commitments and projects in Wales, including over £90 million for net-zero initiatives. However, it does not provide specific figures on the number of jobs anticipated in Wales from the …
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Wales Office
12
Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
Effective collaboration and co-operation between the UK and Welsh governments will be essential if Wales is to achieve net zero by 2050. Significant issues such as grid capacity and port infrastructure, in particular, require cross-government working if they are to be resolved, and there are a number of key areas …
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Effective collaboration and co-operation between the UK and Welsh governments will be essential if Wales is to achieve net zero by 2050. Significant issues such as grid capacity and port infrastructure, in particular, require cross-government working if they are to be resolved, and there are a number of key areas where there are common interests and opportunities for further collaboration between the UK and Welsh governments. Existing programmes and schemes to develop the supply chain’s capacity and capability through clusters such as the South Wales Industrial Cluster and Celtic Sea Cluster should continue to enable cross-border working.
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Government response AI summary
The government recognises the important role of Devolved Administrations in expanding renewable power and confirms that officials will continue to work closely with Welsh counterparts and the Wales Office. Ministerial collaboration will also continue through existing fora such as the Net Zero Inter-Ministerial Group.
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Wales Office
14
Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
Interconnectors have been proven to provide strong benefits for decarbonisation, because of this the role of interconnectors is expected to greatly increase in the decades leading to net zero. As an interconnector in Wales would allow excess energy, which is likely to be created due to the abundance of wind …
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Interconnectors have been proven to provide strong benefits for decarbonisation, because of this the role of interconnectors is expected to greatly increase in the decades leading to net zero. As an interconnector in Wales would allow excess energy, which is likely to be created due to the abundance of wind energy in the country, to be exported rather than curtailed, there are clear opportunities for Wales to benefit. This is particularly significant for Welsh waters in light of the EU’s requirement for 300GW of offshore wind by 2050.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the benefits of interconnectors, highlighting its ambition for 18 gigawatts by 2030 and its support for interconnection as a core energy strategy. It references the ongoing Offshore Transmission Network Review which considers multi-purpose interconnectors and expresses interest in Celtic Sea opportunities.
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Wales Office
15
Recommendation
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
Further to the UK Government’s recent collaboration with the EU on a potential North Sea grid, the UK Government should consider the opportunity for further export from the Celtic Sea to the continent and the creation of a Celtic Sea Economic Zone.
Government response AI summary
The government outlines existing ambitions for electricity interconnection and the Offshore Transmission Network Review, and expresses interest in hearing more about Celtic Sea opportunities. However, it does not commit to specifically considering further export from the Celtic Sea or creating a Celtic Sea Economic Zone …
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Wales Office
18
Recommendation
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
Wales is well-placed to benefit from the significant potential of fixed bottom and floating offshore wind around the Welsh coast. However, existing issues with the supply chain and port infrastructure must be addressed if the country wants to take advantage of these opportunities.
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Wales is well-placed to benefit from the significant potential of fixed bottom and floating offshore wind around the Welsh coast. However, existing issues with the supply chain and port infrastructure must be addressed if the country wants to take advantage of these opportunities.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the potential of offshore wind and the importance of supply chain and jobs. It highlights past investment in port infrastructure and welcomes collaboration, but does not commit to new specific actions to address existing supply chain and port infrastructure issues.
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Wales Office
19
Recommendation
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
The UK Government should make clear the likelihood of further funding of ports infrastructure in Wales to support the emerging offshore wind sector. Further port investment should be encouraged for Welsh ports, particularly the Celtic Sea ports, in any future funding rounds. Freeports are one current area where significant investment …
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The UK Government should make clear the likelihood of further funding of ports infrastructure in Wales to support the emerging offshore wind sector. Further port investment should be encouraged for Welsh ports, particularly the Celtic Sea ports, in any future funding rounds. Freeports are one current area where significant investment is being discussed by the UK Government, and we urge the UK and Welsh governments to reach agreement, as soon as possible, on the funding arrangements for a freeport in Wales. If these discussions can be unblocked, the competition process for a Welsh freeport should place a heavy emphasis on renewable and net-zero considerations and should look to facilitating investment in the development of renewable energy generation.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the economic opportunities of offshore wind and commits to working closely with Welsh stakeholders. However, it does not commit to clarifying the likelihood of further ports funding or accelerating agreement on Welsh freeport funding, instead referencing existing successful investments.
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Wales Office
20
Recommendation
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wal…
Acknowledged
The UK and Welsh governments, as well as port operators, and energy companies with developments in Wales, should work together to learn the lessons from the North East of England, where a clear strategy, focus, and public and private sector investment have led to the Port of Blyth becoming a …
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The UK and Welsh governments, as well as port operators, and energy companies with developments in Wales, should work together to learn the lessons from the North East of England, where a clear strategy, focus, and public and private sector investment have led to the Port of Blyth becoming a hub for renewable energy development and jobs. If Wales is to make the most of its offshore potential, then her ports will need to have the right infrastructure and the skills base which can ensure that investment in energy development also results in investment in jobs and skills in Wales. (Paragraph 81) 30 Renewable energy in Wales
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the economic potential of offshore wind and the importance of maximizing supply chain and job benefits, noting past successful investments in port infrastructure. It welcomes collaboration but does not commit to a specific process for learning lessons from the North East of …
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Wales Office