Wales puts marine and nuclear at heart of green energy master plan
The Welsh government will today publish a new energy strategy outlining how the country aims to establish itself as a leading low carbon technology hub, creating tens of thousands of new jobs in the process.
The report, titled Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition, sets out a series of commitments designed to accelerate investment in low carbon energy generation and maximise the economic and job creation benefits that will arise from a shift towards renewable energy and nuclear power.
“Energy is a defining issue for our generation and an issue on which, as a government, I am determined that Wales will lead,” said First Minister Carwyn Jones. “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.”
The new strategy underlines the Welsh government’s commitment to building a new nuclear power station on Anglesey as part of the Energy Island programme and increasing investment in marine energy projects, which according to government figures could provide up to 6.2GW of new capacity.
It also includes commitments to improve the country’s planning and consenting regime, instigate new green skills development programmes, roll out new energy efficiency initiatives, and ensure “communities have access to advice, expertise and funding to harness renewable energy”.
Jones stressed that the strategy has the potential to create thousands of new jobs. “Last year the renewable and low carbon sectors supported 29,000 jobs in Wales,” he said. “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.”
He also hinted that green firms and investors choosing to locate in the country could expect significant support from the Welsh government.
“Business is essential to our energy and our economic future,” he said. “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.”
A government spokesman said the new strategy would seek to move the debate over renewable energy away from being solely focused on wind farms and stress that low carbon energy projects have the potential to drive significant economic growth.
“Low carbon energy is often seen as a hypothetical issue or a policy debate, but this is actually happening now,” he said. “This is a large and growing industry and we want to make sure Wales sucks up as much of the potential investment as possible.”
The report, titled Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition, sets out a series of commitments designed to accelerate investment in low carbon energy generation and maximise the economic and job creation benefits that will arise from a shift towards renewable energy and nuclear power.
“Energy is a defining issue for our generation and an issue on which, as a government, I am determined that Wales will lead,” said First Minister Carwyn Jones. “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.”
The new strategy underlines the Welsh government’s commitment to building a new nuclear power station on Anglesey as part of the Energy Island programme and increasing investment in marine energy projects, which according to government figures could provide up to 6.2GW of new capacity.
It also includes commitments to improve the country’s planning and consenting regime, instigate new green skills development programmes, roll out new energy efficiency initiatives, and ensure “communities have access to advice, expertise and funding to harness renewable energy”.
Jones stressed that the strategy has the potential to create thousands of new jobs. “Last year the renewable and low carbon sectors supported 29,000 jobs in Wales,” he said. “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.”
He also hinted that green firms and investors choosing to locate in the country could expect significant support from the Welsh government.
“Business is essential to our energy and our economic future,” he said. “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.”
A government spokesman said the new strategy would seek to move the debate over renewable energy away from being solely focused on wind farms and stress that low carbon energy projects have the potential to drive significant economic growth.
“Low carbon energy is often seen as a hypothetical issue or a policy debate, but this is actually happening now,” he said. “This is a large and growing industry and we want to make sure Wales sucks up as much of the potential investment as possible.”
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