A Plaid Cymru led Welsh Government would ensure Welsh communities
benefit from Welsh energy projects, Plaid Cymru Leader has said.
In a speech at an event hosted by Ynni Cymunedol Cymru at
Partneriaeth Ogwen in Bethesda Plaid Cymru leader will outline his party's
vision for the future of the energy landscape in Wales.
MS will also state his
party's ‘unequivocal' support for renewable energy and ambition
to see communities ‘the length and breadth of Wales' harness the
power and potential of renewables, whilst also making it clear
that the wellbeing of communities must be at the heart of the
Welsh Government's energy strategy.
In his speech, the Plaid Cymru Leader will announce several steps
a Plaid Cymru Government would take to ensure communities in
Wales benefit from energy projects in their communities, steps
that are designed to “support a just, green transition that
ultimately sees communities take more of their economic future
into their own hands”.
will announce Plaid
Cymru's intention to:
- require a minimum community-ownership stake of between 15 and
25% for all energy projects over 10 MW, or equivalent means of
capturing community benefits, while also increasing the number of
communities who have the capacity and ability to buy in to
projects at scale,
- establish a national energy body for Wales that would be
responsible for developing large-scale projects, embedding
meaningful community ownership, and supporting smaller-scale
community energy initiatives.
Plaid Cymru leader, MS, is expected to say:
"Plaid Cymru supports renewable energy unequivocally just as we
believe that the wellbeing of communities has to be at the heart
of the Welsh Government's energy strategy.
“Unlike the climate change deniers in Reform, we know that the
transition to Net Zero and to greater energy self-sufficiency in
an era of increased global insecurity is not optional.
“Our super-abundance of wind, water and waves means that Wales
has the potential to be a green energy powerhouse. Done right,
the green energy transition comes with major social and economic
opportunities. I am clear that Welsh communities can and must
benefit fully from Welsh renewables. And that includes a fair
share of the profits.
“What does this mean in practice? It means building the
infrastructure we need in a way that minimises and works to
offset the impact on those who live closest to it. Above all, it
means greater local and community ownership of energy produced in
Wales.
“Ultimately, we think that increasing communities' share in
the ownership of Welsh renewables is
the best way of securing a higher level of reinvestment in those
communities in the longer term. A Plaid Cymru government will
require a minimum community-ownership stake of between 15 and 25%
for all energy projects over 10 MW, or corresponding means of
capturing community benefits as a key condition for consent.
“We propose a single national energy body for Wales responsible
for developing large-scale projects, embedding meaningful
community ownership, and supporting smaller-scale community
energy initiatives – all framed by the clear remit of retaining
more of the value of Welsh renewables in Wales and helping to
reduce energy bills over the medium to long term.
“If I have the privilege of becoming Wales's First Minister
following the election in May, we'll do more to support a just,
green transition that ultimately sees communities take more of
their economic future into their own hands.
