Smart Stream Renewables

Local ownership of energy generation in Wales

admin — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 15:31:00 +0000

Written Statement: Publication of the ‘Local ownership of energy generation in Wales – benefitting Wales today and for future generations’

In December 2018, I published our response to the Welsh Government’s Call for Evidence on Locally Owned Renewable Energy, which committed to publishing a position statement on the issue.

Today I am pleased to publish this policy statement ‘Local ownership of energy generation in Wales – benefitting Wales today and for future generations’ setting out our position. Read more HERE

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EU Climate Law tabled to achieve 2050 target

admin — Fri, 06 Mar 2020 16:03:00 +0000

Reviews of Renewable Energy Directive, EU-ETS and other directives will occur to ensure target is met.

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Local ownership of energy generation in Wales

admin — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 16:06:00 +0000

In December 2018, I published our response to the Welsh Government’s Call for Evidence on Locally Owned Renewable Energy, which committed to publishing a position statement on the issue. Today I am pleased to publish this policy statement ‘Local ownership of energy generation in Wales – benefitting Wales today and for future generations’ setting out ... Read More "Local ownership of energy generation in Wales" »

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Britain must be a world leader in all forms of green energy

admin — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 16:08:00 +0000

The phrase “a stitch in time saves nine” dates back to the 18th century, near the start of the Industrial Revolution, from which point global warming has escalated to today’s levels, with the last five years the hottest on record worldwide.

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Wave, tidal and offshore wind projects are all in line for new energy award

admin — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 16:10:00 +0000

Scotland is far from being all at sea when it comes to marine power generation.

The country is recognised as a world leader in the development and deployment of wave and tidal energy technology.

Much of the international attention focussed on these cutting-edge developments is directed at the Highlands and Islands, which is home to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, where the world’s most powerful tidal turbine will enter operation later this year.

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All new homes in Wales to be heated and powered from clean energy sources from 2025

admin — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:12:00 +0000

Ambitious new proposals which would lead to all new homes in Wales being heated and powered only from clean energy sources from 2025, making them more energy efficient and cheaper to run, have been set out by the Welsh Government.

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Renewables generated enough electricity to meet half Wales’s needs in 2018

admin — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 16:13:00 +0000

Renewable energy sources generated enough electricity to meet half of Wales’s needs in 2018, a new report has revealed.

Link to announcement HERE

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Wales can be a nation powered by marine energy, vows Lesley Griffiths

admin — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 16:20:00 +0000

Marine energy has the potential to be at the heart of ambitious plans for Wales to become a nation powered by renewable energy sources, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has said. Link to press release

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North Wales tidal energy industry set for £12 million EU investment

admin — Wed, 01 May 2019 16:21:00 +0000

The tidal energy industry in North Wales has today received a major boost following a Welsh Government investment of £12.6 million EU funds in Anglesey-based developer, Minesto.

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Swansea tidal lagoon: ‘Substantial’ offer from Carwyn Jones

admin — Wed, 10 Jan 2018 16:23:00 +0000

The first minister has offered cash to help kickstart plans for a £1.3bn tidal lagoon energy project in Swansea Bay.

Carwyn Jones said the Welsh Government would offer a “substantial” investment, but did not say how much.

He accused the UK government of “dragging its heels” over the scheme, nearly a year since an independent review recommended it be backed.

The company behind the scheme is trying to agree a subsidy with UK ministers for the electricity it would generate.

In December Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns told a committee of MPs the scheme’s approval depended on it being “value-for-money”.

Mr Jones claimed the UK could become “a world leader in a new global industry”.

Lagoon backers welcomed the pledge of Welsh Government support as “the breakthrough our project needed”.

In a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May, Mr Jones said: “I want to make clear that I am prepared to consider a substantial equity and/or loan investment by the Welsh Government if that would enable the project to move forward.

“This investment could help to reduce the cost of capital for the project and hence reduce the subsidy requirement over the lifetime of any contract for difference.”

In January 2017, a report by former energy minister Charles Hendry ordered by the UK government recommended that tidal lagoons could play “a cost-effective role in the UK’s energy mix”, adding that there was “considerable value in a small pathfinder project”.

‘Stop stalling’

Confirming his appeal to the prime minister, Mr Jones said: “This would be the world’s first tidal lagoon power plant, which would create thousands of high quality jobs, supply a significant proportion of the UK’s energy needs and position Britain as a world leader in a new global industry.

“And, yet, the UK Government has been dragging its heels for over a year. This is leading to a growing sense of frustration among the Welsh business community and an increasing risk that the lack of a decision will turn into a decision not to proceed.

“Now is the time for the UK Government to stop stalling and get on with agreeing a strike price so we can make this transformative project a reality.”

The strike price is an agreed price which customers would pay above the market rate for energy from a particular project in order to cover the costs of construction.

Tidal Lagoon chief executive Mark Shorrock welcomed the Welsh Government’s backing, saying: “This is the breakthrough our project has needed.

“We thank the First Minister and his team for their leadership,” he said.

“We look forward to working alongside the Welsh Government to now close the deal for Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon with the UK government.”

Also welcoming the offer, Plaid Cymru’s energy spokesman Simon Thomas said he had previously urged Welsh ministers to take a stake in the scheme but that if Wales “had power over this type of project rather than Westminster we would have given the green light already”.

South Wales West Conservative Suzy Davies said that, although it was “only right” for the Welsh Government to contribute to the costs, “until we know the details we can’t be sure that this proposal is game-changing”.

A UK government spokesman said: “We want to ensure that the UK has a diverse, secure and affordable energy mix but it must provide value for consumers.

“That’s why we are looking carefully at the potential to harness the UK’s natural resources to make our energy mix cleaner, more sustainable, and value for money for all UK taxpayers and consumers.”