Energy vision for Wales launched

Unlocking the energy from our seas, making sure the billions of pounds of investment delivers jobs, helping businesses maximise opportunities and ensuring communities benefit from energy developments are among the commitments included in the Welsh Government’s vision for energy.

Launching ‘Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition’ yesterday (Weds 14th March), the First Minister Carwyn Jones set out how energy is a golden opportunity for Wales.

The commitments include:

• Working to make every pound of investment in energy contribute to Wales’ economy and long-term wealth.
• Improving the planning and consenting regime.
• Working to put in place an improved energy Infrastructure.
• Focusing on maximising the value from the energy projects of greatest benefit such as energy efficiency and the Anglesey Energy Island programme, which includes the new nuclear power station.
• Providing support to Welsh businesses to enable them to compete for energy contracts to maximise the number of jobs and economic benefits.
• Developing the Welsh workforce to meet the industry’s needs through access to high quality apprenticeships, Skills Growth Wales and Jobs Growth Wales programmes and through science, technology, engineering and mathematics in our schools.
• Ensuring communities have access to advice, expertise and funding to harness renewable energy.
• Bringing the significant expertise in Wales together to position Wales at the forefront of innovation, research and development in unlocking the energy from our seas and leading the way to smart living.

The First Minister said:

“Energy is a defining issue for our generation and an issue on which, as a government, I am determined that Wales will lead. Our ambition is to create a low carbon economy that delivers a wealthy future for Wales. At every step along the way, we must make sure Wales takes full advantage of the potential for jobs and long term economic development, an aim which is especially important in the current economic climate.

“There is no escaping the challenges of climate change and energy security. However, these challenges are also a golden opportunity for Wales to lead the way in creating a low carbon economy and lay the foundations for a better future and maximise the long term benefits to Wales at every stage along the way.

“Last year the renewable and low carbon sectors supported 29,000 jobs in Wales. I want to see these figures increase and see Wales securing the highest possible number of the 250,000 additional jobs predicted for the energy sector in the UK in the coming years. Business is essential to our energy and our economic future. We therefore aim to build on Wales’ reputation – working in partnership with the industry – to ensure that we are not only ‘open for business’, but are once again seen as a global centre for energy. We recognise that we must create a stable environment for long-term investment as well as supporting our vital energy intensive industries through this transition.”

Environment Minister John Griffiths said:

“Wales, like the rest of the world, is working hard to make the move to more sustainable, low carbon energy. It is vital that we do this in a way that is sensitive to the needs of our communities, creates sustainable, local jobs and supports Wales’ wider economy. As a government we are committed to working in partnership – with private, public and social sectors – to make this a reality.”

The full ‘Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition’ document is available from the following links:

English: http://www.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/energy/energywales/?lang=en

Welsh: http://www.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/energy/energywales/?lang=cy

Facts and figures on renewable energy

• Wales has already established a significant low carbon economy. The renewable sector supported around 13,000 jobs in Wales and the low carbon sector around 16,000 jobs in 2009/10. They were also responsible for £1.8 billion and £2 billion in sales respectively in the same year with for example biomass contributing £279 million and solar £338 million.
• Alongside this, Wales has considerable relevant expertise within the Higher Education sector and has established a global reputation for energy research and innovation.
• Renewable generation of electricity has increased by 58% between 2004 and 2010 with 62% of renewable generation stemming from sources like wind and solar with a further 25% coming from thermal renewable generation and 13% from hydro generation.

Energy Efficiency

• Improving the energy performance of buildings and driving energy efficiency offers significant direct and indirect social, environmental and economic benefits. Undertaking energy efficiency improvements has huge potential to stimulate business and job opportunities – with one of the highest coefficients of employment to spend of any sector.
• Wales has a comprehensive energy efficiency supply-chain, from manufacturing to installation, within its boundaries and we have a strong installer base that we have helped to grow. Over 80% of the businesses that delivered phase 1 of the arbed programme operate primarily, or solely, in Wales.
• This will be further supported by for example our commitment to invest up to £45m, including over £33m from the European Regional Development Fund, in phase 2 of arbed over the next three years and up to £100m in our Nest fuel poverty scheme over the next five years from 2011/12.

Anglesey Energy Island

• The Welsh Government supports the development of a new nuclear power station on Anglesey as a vital component of our wider energy future. The development offers significant long-term economic benefits to Anglesey and North Wales in general. It has the potential to contribute £2.34 billion to the economy over the period to 2025, with Horizon estimating 5,000 construction jobs at peak and around 800 direct jobs in operation over its lifespan.
• Wylfa B is one of a number of major energy developments within the programme that also includes a 299MW biomass power plant at the former Anglesey Aluminium smelting site in Holyhead and a 4.5GW offshore wind zone. This further enhances Energy Island’s impressive energy portfolio.

Wales’ marine potential

• Wales has 1200km of coastline, strategically located deep sea ports, accessible grid infrastructure, a manufacturing base, up to 6.2GW (over 10GW including the proposed Severn Barrage) of estimated generating capacity and a resource that is ideally suited to the current phase of the industry.
• We have already invested £1m through the Marine Renewable Energy Strategic Framework to understand our resource, and are currently working with Halcrow to identify the infrastructure requirements of the industry. In addition, we are working with the Crown Estate to open the seas around Wales that have promising poten
  tial for moving towards commercial deployment of marine renewable energy devices.