Wales is planing to allow Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to take decisions on renewable energy projects up to 50MW, reducing the end-to-end decision time by at least 12 weeks.
Announcing the reform, Welsh Economy, Energy and Planning Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans (pictured) said improvements to the planning system must continue if Wales is to deliver on its decarbonisation, renewable energy and green jobs ambitions.
Five decisions on major new renewable energy projects have been approved by the Cabinet Secretary since her appointment in September, contributing over 280MW of renewable energy for Wales.
Speaking to representatives from across the renewable energy sector at the Future Energy Wales conference at ICC Wales, Evans also unveiled plans to improve the capacity and resilience of planning services by starting to address the shortage of planners at both local and national levels.
There are also proposals to enhance Government planning resource to ensure that Developments of National Significance (DNS) applications can be considered quicker.
Evans said inspector’s reports have been received by Ministers for five more applications which are under active consideration and a further 15 applications at various stages of acceptance and examination.
She added: “Planning makes a major contribution to green growth, and accelerating infrastructure planning decisions is one of the Welsh Government’s top priorities. We need to make it as efficient as possible for all concerned.
“We have already determined 10 DNS applications in 2024 compared to last year’s previous high of 7, with this number likely to continue to rise.
“The further measures I’m announcing today will see the right decisions made more quickly and provide assurances that the planning system is there to support the opportunities that we know are ahead of us in terms of leading a green revolution, both at a UK level and internationally.
“Delegating decision making powers to PEDW on renewable energy projects up to 50MW alone will significantly reduce the end-to-end decision time, sometimes by several months, and, delivered in conjunction with improvements elsewhere in the system, will help ensure that the right projects are given thorough consideration quicker.
“Ensuring that Wales has enough planners and related professionals, with the right skills in the right areas, is also fundamental to the delivery of Welsh Government policies, and a wide-ranging consultation later this month will set out proposals for improving the capacity and resilience of planning services.
“We all want to see a well-resourced, progressive planning system and that’s exactly what these proposals will help deliver.
“Our next steps include working with industry to develop a sector deal for renewable energy.
“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.”
In response to the plans, managing director of Bute Energy, Stuart George said: “We share the Welsh Government’s ambition for a more sustainable future for Wales, powered by green growth.
“The commitment shown by the First Minister during her speech to Future Energy Wales is very welcome, and we look forward to working together to power a cleaner, greener future for Wales.
“We now know that £47bn could be invested in Wales through renewable energy projects by 2035. This will help create jobs, investment, and opportunities right across Wales.
“For communities to really see benefits of that potential investment the planning system needs to be properly resourced and provide clarity and certainty for communities and developers.
“Today’s announcement from the Welsh Government’s on their first proposals for planning reform is welcome and we look forward to learning more in the coming months.”
Also at the conference, UK and Welsh Government officials held talks aimed at strengthening their partnership to accelerate clean energy progress across the UK.
The discussions, marking the first official joint visit of their kind, focused on dismantling obstacles to wind energy deployment to drive green jobs and economic growth.
Jessica Hooper, director of RenewableUK Cymru, said: “As an industry, we’re eager to see a clearer framework emerge on the contributions each region can make toward net zero goals and how resources will be shared to achieve this.
“An ‘All Nations Renewables Team’ working across governments could be instrumental in delivering Clean Power 2030 with shared accountability.
“We look forward to collaborating with UK and devolved governments to build trust, transparency, and collective benefit from the clean energy transition.”