Select committee: Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 20
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
Published 29 Jul 2021
Paragraph 81
Addressed to Wales Office
Welsh Affairs Committee Renewable energy in Wales All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
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.
From: Welsh Affairs Committee, Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales (HC 439), paragraph 81, 29 July 2021
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 26 October 2021 (deadline 29 September 2021).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government says it "remains firmly committed to the renewables industry across the UK, including in Wales" and responds to each recommendation by setting out existing policy and activity, with several matters left to independent bodies.
- On seabed leasing, it says this is the responsibility of The Crown Estate, which is "independent of the UK Government", and notes that TCE has confirmed its intention to hold a new floating offshore wind leasing round in the Celtic Sea.
- On small-scale generation tariffs, it states "We believe that the market should determine prices" and says the Government will review an annual Ofgem report on the Smart Export Guarantee to monitor whether the market is delivering.
- On grid constraints, it says regulation is a matter for Ofgem and that Government supports Ofgem's work to enable investment ahead of need "where the need is sufficiently certain to justify this".
- On a Welsh freeport, it says "We remain committed to establishing a Freeport in Wales as soon as possible."