The government’s plans to make the UK a clean energy superpower are to be given a major boost today, with collaboration between the Prime Minister and the Welsh First Minister bringing investment.
In order to support the ways that homegrown energy can drive the economy, create jobs, boost skills and strengthen energy independence, the two leaders are pledging to cooperate closely to ensure that the benefits of publicly-owned energy can be realised. Part of this will involve building on the work that the Welsh Government has already done in this area.
This drive comes as the government is committing £8.3 billion across this parliament to deliver Great British Energy, allowing the nation to own and invest in clean power projects across the UK.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“We have inherited an incoherent energy policy that has left homes up and down the country vulnerable to rocketing energy bills.
“But the Welsh Government has made important strides that we can now build on, and I am determined that Wales is at the very heart of our mission to make Britain an energy superpower, with renewables powering homes right across the country.
“Great British Energy will put the whole of the United Kingdom on the right path to deliver the independence we need, while helping to deliver lower bills for households and businesses and creating the next generation of skilled jobs.”
Collaboration with the First Minister comes as part of plans to ‘reset the relationship’ with the devolved government in Wales, securing a ‘genuine’ partnership of respect and collaboration. As part of a two-day visit to Wales, the Prime minister will take in the work that the Welsh Government did to establish Trydan Gwrydd Cymru – the nation’s own energy company – that is owned by the government and was built up from scratch in just a year.
Eluned Morgan, Welsh First Minister, added:
“Our publicly-owned renewable energy developer, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, is a long-term sustainable investment that puts net zero and the communities of Wales at the heart of the energy transition.
“While the previous UK government focused on fracking and fossil fuels – opposed by most communities and incompatible with our international obligations – we took positive action to ensure we deliver on our environmental commitments.
“Harvesting our wind and using it to produce power offers us, and the people of Wales, the ability to own the returns on what will be a significant investment.”
Image credit: iStock
