Photo by Sander Weeteling
The Welsh Government has launched a new Renewable Energy Sector Deal, a strategic partnership with industry designed to accelerate the deployment of wind, solar, marine and hydro power across the country.
Announced on 18 March, the deal contains 78 commitments, from streamlining planning to building a skilled workforce, and aims to ensure local communities share in the benefits of new energy projects. Wales currently generates enough renewable power to meet 54% of its electricity consumption; the government’s targets are 70% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, alongside at least 1.5GW of locally owned capacity.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans launched the deal at the Morlais tidal energy project on Anglesey – Europe’s largest consented tidal energy scheme, owned by social enterprise Menter Môn and backed by an £8 million Welsh Government equity stake. She said: “Our ambition is to become a world leader in renewable energy, creating jobs and green growth to make families in Wales more prosperous and to help with the cost of living.”
Evans also cited the Middle East conflict as a driver: “The current conflict in the Middle East has further highlighted the importance of energy independence. Our Renewable Energy Sector Deal will provide a strong foundation for the future delivery of renewable energy – to the benefit of our economy, environment and energy security.”
Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director of Menter Môn, welcomed the deal, saying: “For Menter Môn, it recognises the important role marine energy schemes like Morlais can play in strengthening energy security, creating high-quality jobs, and delivering long-term economic benefits for local communities like Anglesey.”
Industry optimism and a stark comparison
Industry association Renewable UK Cymru said the deal could unlock a £10bn opportunity for Welsh businesses, 8,000 jobs and £183 million in community benefits. The organisation had previously warned that over the past decade Scotland secured more than £18bn in clean energy investment support while Wales attracted less than £1bn.
Solar Energy UK described solar as “vital for Wales” – for the economy, employment and decarbonisation – and said it looked forward to significant growth across the country in coming years.
Onshore controversy ahead of Senedd elections
The announcement drew pushback on the onshore dimension, with the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales warning that ministers were “tripping themselves up big time” by pushing for more onshore wind and solar. Chair Jonathan Dean argued Wales could meet its renewable targets through large offshore schemes alone, saying: “People don’t want a huge windfarm towering over their village.”
The deal arrives just weeks before May’s Senedd elections, with energy policy shaping up as a key battleground. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds criticised the deal for lacking detail on workforce training, while the Wales Green Party claimed its own manifesto commitments had been borrowed wholesale. Reform UK called for a ban on new onshore wind and solar, while the Welsh Conservatives said they would support marine and floating offshore wind alongside nuclear opportunities at Wylfa and Trawsfynydd.