Plaid Cymru has provided a high-profile path to 100% renewables in Wales by 2035 as part of its manifesto for elections to the Cardiff assembly in May.
The party said changes to UK subsidy regimes “makes this more difficult and certainly requires a change in strategy as the development of large-scale sites by mainstream commercial operators is now less likely”.
Plaid said it would amend planning legislation to create a fast-track route for community-owned energy schemes with a presumption in favour of development.
PC also said it will work with National Grid to ease grid access issues, identify green energy potential through a national resource atlas, and create a national energy company.
The party’s vision is based on a decentralised energy system, rather than the current “hub and spoke”, with a series of local smart networks better able to integrate renewables.
“Under this system local communities are in greater control of energy generation and distribution, cutting out energy companies and generating lower bills for local people,” it said.
The full manifesto can be found here.
Image: communities are expected to carry the renewables torch in Wales (Pennant Walters)
