Figures released by RenewableUK Cymru have highlighted the rapid expansion of grid capacity needed for Wales to meet its target of 100% of electricity needs from renewable sources by 2035.
There is 1.98GW of fully commissioned installed wind energy generation capacity in the country.
The majority of this (63%) comes from onshore projects, including Wales’ largest wind farm, Pen y Cymoedd in South Wales, developed by Vattenfall.
Data from RenewableUK’s Energy Pulse team reveals the country has another 3.95GW of wind energy projects, including onshore, fixed and floating offshore wind, waiting in the planning pipeline, requiring double the grid capacity available today.
With an additional 4GW of floating offshore wind planned from the Celtic Sea region of Wales and south-west England, there is an increasingly urgent need for investment to ensure future grid demand meets the needs of energy generation across the nation.
The switch from fossil fuels to renewables is expected to double electrical power consumption as people rely on electricity for more aspects of their live lives said RenewableUK Cymru, including electric vehicles and heating.
The future electricity grid network will also need to look very different to how it does today the industry body stated, moving away from a centralised system reliant on big power stations, to a decentralised network with smaller-scale power generation spread across different areas.
RenewableUK Cymru director Jessica Hooper said: “We are committed to enabling an energy system underpinned by a diverse mix of renewables which creates value for the people of Wales.
“A grid fit for future generations is key to enabling our success and will be a pivotal player in Wales’ green energy transition.
“Without investment, we stand to miss out on the many positive benefits wind energy brings – from lower electricity bills, energy security, jobs, decarbonising our homes and industry, right through to community benefits and habitat restoration.
“Strong collaboration between the UK and Welsh governments is vital to overcoming this issue.
“We welcome the reform to Ofgem’s mandate to give the energy regulator a statutory duty to assist in the delivery of net zero, but now we need to see a clear programme of anticipatory investment in Wales.”