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
12 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
5 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
26 Oct
2021
Report published
29 Jul
2021
Report published
29 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
15 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
18 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
4 Mar
2021
Oral evidence
28 Jan
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
29 Apr 2021
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
David T C Davies · Wales Office Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
15 Apr 2021
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
Juliet Davenport · Good Energy Maf Smith · Lumen Energy and Environment Michelle Davies · Eversheds Sutherland
18 Mar 2021
View on parliament.uk
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
View on parliament.uk
Christoph Harwood · Simply Blue Energy Jess Hooper · Marine Energy Wales Paul Hewett · Belltown Power Tom Glover · RWE Generation
28 Jan 2021
View on parliament.uk
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
10 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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 the committee's positive assessment of TCE's work.
Wales Office
View details
2 Conclusion Acknowledged
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 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 the committee's positive assessment of TCE's work.
Wales Office
View details
4 Conclusion Acknowledged
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 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.
Wales Office
View details
10 Conclusion Acknowledged
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
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 Ten Point Plan.
Wales Office
View details
12 Conclusion Acknowledged
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
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.
Wales Office
View details
14 Conclusion Acknowledged
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
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.
Wales Office
View details
15 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
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 as recommended.
Wales Office
View details
18 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
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.
Wales Office
View details
19 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
Government Response
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.
Wales Office
View details
20 Recommendation Acknowledged
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
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 England as recommended.
Wales Office
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 20 of 12 classified
Accepted 4
Acknowledged 10
Deferred 1
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 1
Total 12 recs + 8 conclusions