Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales
Welsh Affairs Committee
HC 439
Published 29 July 2021
Recommendations
9
Para 44
If the UK Government intends to ensure that jobs will not be lost during the...
Recommendation
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 …
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Wales Office
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19
Para 80
The UK Government should make clear the likelihood of further funding of ports infrastructure in...
Recommendation
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 …
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Wales Office
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Conclusions (18)
1
Conclusion
Para 23
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 …
2
Conclusion
Para 24
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 …
3
Conclusion
We encourage The Crown Estate to continue to work proactively with developers to ensure that adequate leasing rounds continue to be offered on a regular basis in the future. Of most importance is that there is, as far as possible, alignment between the timetables being used by The Crown Estate …
4
Conclusion
Para 30
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.
5
Conclusion
Para 31
The UK Government must address the funding gap for emerging marine technologies or risk negatively impacting their development. As a first step, Ministers from Her Majesty’s Treasury, in cooperation and coordination with Welsh Government Ministers, should arrange to meet with representatives from the marine energy sector as a matter of …
6
Conclusion
Para 37
The Feed-in Tariffs scheme had been hugely successful in attracting investment in small-scale renewable energy generation. We are concerned, however, that its Renewable energy in Wales 27 replacement scheme the Smart Export Guarantee has been widely criticised by small-scale renewable developers as being too limited in scope and for its …
7
Conclusion
This is a critical moment for the climate agenda. If the UK Government is to achieve its ambitious net-zero targets, it needs to have a subsidy programme that succeeds in attracting private sector and community investment in small-scale renewable energy generation. The UK Government should therefore, as a matter of …
8
Conclusion
Para 43
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 …
10
Conclusion
Para 47
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 …
11
Conclusion
While Wales has the potential to benefit from the Ten Point Plan, it will not do so automatically or by right. Rather, it will require a clear vision, and a specific plan, for job creation from the UK Government. Using the Ten Point Plan as a starting point, 28 Renewable …
12
Conclusion
Para 56
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 …
13
Conclusion
Para 57
The UK Government should focus on maintaining a close working relationship with the Welsh Government, particularly in regard to major energy systems challenges such a grid capacity and port infrastructure. To facilitate effective collaboration, where renewable energy projects in Wales are under consideration, the UK Government should invite Welsh Government …
14
Conclusion
Para 62
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 …
15
Conclusion
Para 63
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.
16
Conclusion
Para 71
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 …
17
Conclusion
Para 72
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, …
18
Conclusion
Para 79
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.
20
Conclusion
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 …