Cardiff assembly sets out low-carbon Welsh Energy Strategy

Lesley Griffiths, the Welsh Environment & Energy Minister, has set out the steps her government will take to reduce the amount of energy used in Wales and to move from its traditional association with fossil fuels to a ‘nation renowned for its clean energy.’

She told the Cardiff-based assembly how the Welsh Government will fully use its devolved powers to take advantage of the many opportunities Wales has to deliver secure and affordable low carbon energy.

The Welsh Energy Strategy includes provision for:

• Wales leading the way in the UK by reviewing how we can use building regulations to build new homes in Wales which are more energy efficient and cheaper to run
• Supporting energy intensive industries to become more efficient
• Ensuring Wales secures transformational benefits from major energy projects such as Wylfa Newydd and Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon
• Investing in energy efficiency projects, such as Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest, which is reducing emissions associated with heating while also reducing energy bills for consumers and helping people to stay warm and healthy
• Supporting the phase-out of unabated coal fired power, the most polluting form of energy generation in Wales, by 2025, and use planning powers to limit the opportunities for new coal development, and: 
• Setting ambitious and realistic targets for renewables, including community energy.

Griffiths said: “The Welsh Government is already supporting the development of low carbon energy projects in Wales, for example providing vital funding to support local renewable energy projects such as the Awel Aman Tawe community energy scheme in Swansea –  but would like to do even more.

“However, it is frustrating that the UK Government continues to create uncertainty in energy policy, with decisions driving the market away from the lowest cost renewable sources and undermining investor confidence in renewable energy here in Wales. This must change.”