Renewable energy in Wales

Welsh Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 23 Nov 2020 Closed: 15 Nov 2021 Parliament page
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
2 Recommendations
18 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
26 Oct
2021
Report published
29 Jul
2021
Report published
29 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
29 Apr
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
15 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
15 Apr
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
18 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
18 Mar
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
4 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
4 Mar
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
28 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
28 Jan
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
29 Apr 2021
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Oral evidence
David T C Davies · Wales Office Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
15 Apr 2021
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Oral evidence
Juliet Davenport · Good Energy Maf Smith · Lumen Energy and Environment Michelle Davies · Eversheds Sutherland
18 Mar 2021
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Oral evidence
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
4 Mar 2021
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Christoph Harwood · Simply Blue Energy Jess Hooper · Marine Energy Wales Paul Hewett · Belltown Power Tom Glover · RWE Generation
28 Jan 2021
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Hywel Lloyd · Institute of Welsh Affairs Professor Nick Jenkins · Cardiff University Rhys Wyn Jones · RenewableUK
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Renewable energy in Wales HC 439 29 Jul 2021 20 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
20 results
1 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
The Crown Estate plays a crucial role in the management of the UK’s seabed and...
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 … Read more
Wales Office
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2 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
Over the course of our inquiry we heard significant demand from energy companies for additional...
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 … Read more
Government Response
The management of the seabed off the coastlines of England, Northern Ireland and Wales, including leasing, is the responsibility of The Crown Estate (TCE), which is independent of the UK … Read more
Wales Office
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3 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
We encourage The Crown Estate to continue to work proactively with developers to ensure that...
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, … Read more
Government Response
The management of the seabed off the coastlines of England, Northern Ireland and Wales, including leasing, is the responsibility of The Crown Estate (TCE), which is independent of the UK … Read more
Wales Office
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4 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme has been highly successful in supporting renewable energy development...
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. Read more
Government Response
The UK Government recently ran a Call for Evidence inviting views on what scope there is for marine technologies across the UK. In addition, local authorities in Wales and elsewhere … Read more
Wales Office
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5 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
The UK Government must address the funding gap for emerging marine technologies or risk negatively...
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 … Read more
Government Response
The UK Government recently ran a Call for Evidence inviting views on what scope there is for marine technologies across the UK. In addition, local authorities in Wales and elsewhere … Read more
Wales Office
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6 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
The Feed-in Tariffs scheme had been hugely successful in attracting investment in small-scale renewable energy...
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 … Read more
Government Response
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) gives small scale low-carbon electricity generators the right to be paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid. It 2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/990120/ UK_Government_s_Plan_for_Wales_May_2021__ENGLISH_.pdf Read more
Wales Office
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7 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
This is a critical moment for the climate agenda.
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 … Read more
Government Response
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) gives small scale low-carbon electricity generators the right to be paid for the renewable electricity they export to the grid. It 2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/990120/ UK_Government_s_Plan_for_Wales_May_2021__ENGLISH_.pdf Read more
Wales Office
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8 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
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 … Read more
Government Response
The UK government set out in the Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution, the importance of supporting levelling up and revitalising our industrial heartlands—and supporting up to 250,000 … Read more
Wales Office
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9 Recommendation
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
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 … Read more
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10 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
Wales natural resources, coastline and all round renewable energy potential should mean that it benefits...
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 … Read more
Government Response
Wales is well-placed to play a central role in the UK’s green industrial revolution and the global effort to reach net zero by 2050. The UK Government has committed £90 … Read more
Wales Office
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11 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
While Wales has the potential to benefit from the Ten Point Plan, it will not...
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 … Read more
Government Response
Wales is well-placed to play a central role in the UK’s green industrial revolution and the global effort to reach net zero by 2050. The UK Government has committed £90 … Read more
Wales Office
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12 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
Effective collaboration and co-operation between the UK and Welsh governments will be essential if Wales...
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 … Read more
Government Response
We recognise the important role for the Devolved Administrations in contributing to the expansion of renewable power in the UK. My officials will continue to work closely with officials in … Read more
Wales Office
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13 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
The UK Government should focus on maintaining a close working relationship with the Welsh Government,...
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 … Read more
Government Response
We recognise the important role for the Devolved Administrations in contributing to the expansion of renewable power in the UK. My officials will continue to work closely with officials in … Read more
Wales Office
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14 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
Interconnectors have been proven to provide strong benefits for decarbonisation, because of this the role...
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 … Read more
Government Response
In last year’s Energy White Paper, the UK government included an ambition to realise at least 18 gigawatts of electricity interconnection by 2030. The UK is supportive of electricity interconnection … Read more
Wales Office
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15 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
Further to the UK Government’s recent collaboration with the EU on a potential North Sea...
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
In last year’s Energy White Paper, the UK government included an ambition to realise at least 18 gigawatts of electricity interconnection by 2030. The UK is supportive of electricity interconnection … Read more
Wales Office
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16 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
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 … Read more
Government Response
Regulation of the transmission and distribution network is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Government is working with Ofgem to help ensure that network companies play a full … Read more
Wales Office
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17 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
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 … Read more
Government Response
Regulation of the transmission and distribution network is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Government is working with Ofgem to help ensure that network companies play a full … Read more
Wales Office
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18 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
Wales is well-placed to benefit from the significant potential of fixed bottom and floating offshore...
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 … Read more
Government Response
We fully recognise the potential economic opportunities presented by the growth in offshore wind (including floating wind) needed to secure our Sixth Carbon Budget and net zero targets. Ensuring that … Read more
Wales Office
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19 Recommendation
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
The UK Government should make clear the likelihood of further funding of ports infrastructure in...
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 … Read more
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20 Conclusion
Second Report - Renewable energy i…
The UK and Welsh governments, as well as port operators, and energy companies with developments...
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 … Read more
Government Response
We fully recognise the potential economic opportunities presented by the growth in offshore wind (including floating wind) needed to secure our Sixth Carbon Budget and net zero targets. Ensuring that … Read more
Wales Office
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