RenewableUK Cymru has called for clear plans to develop Wales’ renewable energy project pipeline.
According to the group’s new report, wind power has the potential to generate 9000MW of energy over the next decade, but only if an ambitious delivery plan with enabling actions is put in place now.
The Welsh government has set a target for all electricity demand in the country to be met from renewable sources by 2035. The lion’s share of this will come from onshore and offshore wind, with solar, tidal, hydro and other sources making an important contribution to the remainder.
The report reveals while there is a significant number of projects in the pipeline, more than three quarters of this capacity has not been built yet, and more than half is in the very early stages of development and yet to enter the planning system.
This means Wales needs to more than quadruple its deployment in just over a decade – from the 2GW of operational capacity today, to the planned 9GW capacity by 2035.
The Welsh government has control over planning and consenting for all onshore wind projects and offshore wind projects up to 350MW in the country. The introduction of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill in 2025 is intended to streamline and consolidate these processes.
Given the Welsh government’s own targets, RenewableUK Cymru is calling for a clear roadmap towards success, with stage-gates to check in on progress and bold, collaborative actions between government and industry to tackle significant barriers over planning and grid constraints.
To date, delivery timescales for onshore wind projects in particular have been sluggish, and a lack of grid infrastructure is holding back the entire renewable energy sector in the country.
Since the Welsh government took over the consenting reins for energy developments of national significance (DNS regime) in 2016, only one onshore wind farm at Upper Ogmore (25.2MW) has been approved. This decision took almost two years.
RenewableUK Cymru’s director Jess Hooper said: “Wind power is the backbone of Wales’ net zero ambitions, yet the evidence suggests not enough is being done to nurture the growth of that critical backbone. As a result, Wales risks falling short of its power generation need by 2035.
“For years the constraints of poor grid connectivity and an under-resourced, inconsistent planning system have hampered progress and deterred developers from pursuing the ambitious wind energy projects our country so desperately needs to succeed.”