Energy independence is needed now, and it starts at home 

Significant capital investment will be targeted at local energy production and storage in the county in effort towards energy independence and supporting residents with rising energy prices, should Carmarthenshire Labour win the local elections in May.

Carmarthenshire Labour have today announced their first key pledge ahead of the local elections in May, stating that they will seek to dedicate millions of capital investment in Carmarthenshire to deliver local green energy projects and supporting residents with rising energy prices.

Families and businesses in Wales are already feeling the squeeze as a result of energy and food price increases since the pandemic, yet huge price hikes are now projected to come in due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Some analysts have stated the move will cause petrol to jump to more than 170p per litre and energy bills rising by £700.

The UK’s overreliance on foreign gas and oil to fuel our homes and industry is argued by Carmarthenshire Labour to be both “terrible for our climate change ambitions” and creating “risks to supporting allies from hostile actions”.

Carmarthenshire Labour has six main priorities in this election. The first of which is to secure significant capital investment to local green energy production; working collaboratively with neighbouring councils to deliver tidal energy projects and a regional energy grid, building eco-homes for local residents as part of the Homes as Power Station scheme, ensure that all Carmarthenshire council buildings have solar panels, replacing outdated gas boilers with heat pumps, complete the conversation of the remaining 4,000 street lighting lanterns to low energy light-emitting diode (LED) lighting, and utilising all planning levers available to ensure that new private homes and buildings to have EV charging-points and green energy capture and storage.

Carmarthenshire Labour are also committing to working with the Coal Authority to commission a report into geothermal energy from abandoned coal mines in the county. Labour believe geothermal energy projects could reap rewards for former coal mining communities in Carmarthenshire.  

The green energy pledge is coupled with their plans to plant one million trees over the next decade in an effort to tackle climate change and replace the 40,000 trees lost by ash dieback disease.

Cllr Rob James, Leader of Carmarthenshire Labour, stated “The cost of energy for businesses and households are spiralling out of control and the horrendous conflict in Ukraine will only exasperate the situation.

“Our overreliance on foreign fossil fuels to fuel our homes, businesses and industry is terrible for our climate change aspirations and creates real barriers and risks to supporting allies, such as Ukraine, from hostile actions.

“Wales has a proud heritage of being the powerhouse for industry around the world and we must recapture that energy independence with significant investment in green energy production and storage projects. This will directly support residents by easing the cost-of-living crisis, create secure, well-paid jobs in the area and protect our planet.

“Action starts at home and under Carmarthenshire Labour, the Council will demonstrate leadership whilst supporting families and businesses to deliver these plans. This will be truly transformational for our area, especially our former industrial areas, and the benefits will be felt by all.

“Our plans to plant one million trees over the next decade will also replace the 40,000 trees the Plaid-led Council are cutting down and create well-paid, sustainable jobs in our county.”