The Welsh Government has outlined what it claims are “ambitious but credible” plans for 100% renewable energy by 2035.
Climate Change Minister Julie James has said its electricity needs will come completely from renewable sources by 2035. Wales currently generates 55% of its electricity from renewables.
Local ownership
Additionally, James also said that 1.5GW of renewable energy will be “locally owned” by 2035, excluding heat pumps – where there is a 5.5GW target, subject to UK Government support being scaled up and cost reductions in the technology.
The minister said Wales’ infrastructure and supply chain would be “key” to hitting revised targets and revealed details of £1m funding to explore the potential of offshore wind, which will be match-funded by Associated British Ports for preparatory work to enable future floating offshore wind projects to deploy from Wales.
High ambitions
James said: “Our previous targets signalled our high ambitions for renewable energy and this Government’s desire to move away from a use of, and reliance on, fossil fuels.
“The evidence is clear that towards the end of this decade we will need to rapidly ramp up our generation of electricity to meet our energy needs.
“The renewable energy target proposals that we are consulting on today are ambitious, but credible.”
Once-in-a-generation
Andrew Harston, Regional Director, Wales & Short Sea Ports added: “This support is key to the construction of transformational infrastructure, which will enable the manufacturing, integration and assembly of floating offshore wind components at Port Talbot.
“The roll-out of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for South Wales to lead a global market and will play a major role in contributing to Wales and the UK’s net zero targets. By doing so it will support and create thousands of long-term, high-quality jobs.”
