Smaller-scale solar farms in Wales will no longer require direct ministerial approval for construction, helping to deliver billions of pounds of investment in renewables across the nation and cutting decision-making time by at least three months.
The announcement came shortly after a new analysis revealed that Wales had an unprecedented £46.8 billion investment opportunity from expanding renewable energy by 2035 - a transformation that could drive long-term economic growth, create thousands of jobs, and invigorate Welsh communities.
The analysis projects an annual average investment of £3.9 billion, peaking at £7 billion in 2028. For Wales to secure thousands of new, well-paid jobs and capture the maximum local investment, there is urgent need for an effective industrial strategy and port infrastructure upgrades.
Wales could have 8 GW of solar capacity in place by 2035 and 5GW by 2030, up from around 1 GW currently. UK capacity is now approaching 20 GW.
Evans further promised to speed up decision-making more broadly by recruiting new planning officers at both local and national level, something that Solar Energy UK has long pressed for across the UK.
“Our next steps include working with industry to develop a sector deal for renewable energy” said Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans. “The aim will be for government, industry, and other stakeholders to articulate a shared vision and actions to support the delivery of renewable energy projects. We need actions to remove barriers and improve outcomes for supply chains, skills, employment and community benefits. The Welsh Government remains steadfast in our commitment to renewable energy. By working together with communities, developers, and stakeholders, we can and will achieve our renewable energy targets, boost our economy and support our shared ambition for clean power by 2030.”
Solar Energy UK expects to be part of a new working group for the deal, to be convened next year.
“Rebecca Evans has delivered a real tonic for the renewable energy sector in Wales” added Chris Hewett, Chief Executive of trade association Solar Energy UK. “The faster decisions are made, the faster we can reduce dependence on expensive, imported gas and deliver the supply chain and installation jobs, energy security, decarbonisation and lower bills that we all need. I look forward to helping develop the forthcoming sector deal and further accelerate investment into Welsh renewables.”
Ms Evans said last month that accelerating the planning process was a top priority for First Minister Eluned Morgan’s administration, stating that planning departments had been “stripped back” due to austerity. Ms Evans has approved five renewable projects since her appointment in September, among them Ty'n y Waun Solar in Bridgend. The former opencast coal mine will have a capacity of up to 40 MW.
Meanwhile, the Welsh Government will be delivering renewable power itself via publicly-owned developer Trydan, which aims to have 250 MW installed by 2030 and 750 MW. Its energy company Ynni Cymru is working on expanding community-owned renewables.
Appearing alongside Ms Evans was UK energy minister Michael Shanks MP, there for talks on increasing collaboration on renewable energy between Cardiff and Whitehall.
“By working together, including through our partnership between Great British Energy and The Crown Estate, we can deliver on our clean energy mission to boost our energy security, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and protect billpayers for good” Mr Shanks told the conference.
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