Driving growth in Welsh offshore renewable energy through expert management of complex, interdisciplinary, and multi-stakeholder projects.
A disappointing assessment from The Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group, whose latest reports omit key opportunities for Wales' renewable energy future. The report on "How could Wales meet energy needs whilst phasing out fossil fuels by 2035?" overlooks both floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea and tidal stream off Anglesey on the basis that they are unlikely to be deployed before 2035, despite evidence to the contrary. There are at least five floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea expected to be operational by 2035 (three of which in Welsh waters). Additionally, almost 40MW of tidal stream capacity off Anglesey has already secured CfD for deployment by 2029, with more expected to follow annually. Given the report's purpose—to provide independent advice to Welsh Government—this omission is concerning, especially at a time when supportive policy and private investment are crucial for accelerating our transition to renewable energy. Check out all of the The Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group's recently published reports below and let me know your thoughts.
Stanley Townsend
3mo
Thank you for your comments Jay Sheppard. You’re welcome to email a more detailed description of your views and the evidence you feel has been missed to Stan.Townsend@wcpp.org.uk I’m no longer in this role but can connect expert members more closely involved in producing this exact report. Worth recognising that it was put together on the basis of a voluntary membership, and whilst our aim was to produce as comprehensive a plan as possible - that was always going to be a challenging. Regardless, discussion and challenge is healthy and part of what I hope this work stimulates, especially at a political level. Best S
While I totally agree with your comments, especially the world leading Morlais Tidal Zone there is alot more that can and needs to be done to make Wales the powerhouse that it should be. Cutting through the bureacracy and hostile regulatory system is the obvious step- there are far too many barriers to project development and we need to look beyond the current initiatives- Morlais, Celtic Sea to the initiatives that will take tidal and floating wind to GW scale. This will require local political leadership to be clear in their objectives and how they going to set about achieving them!
Daniel Brook
3mo
Interesting report Jay, thanks for sharing. I think its important to realize that most of the time even independent reports have an agenda.
Systems change practitioner, planetary ecologist and futurist - Applying systems and long term thinking to provide future proof solutions in policy and practice with multiple environmental, social and economic benefits.
3moAn important framing on the NZ2035 work was what can Wales do within its existing powers to accelerate change (any new powers would potentially take years to achieve and can't be guaranteed). This might not be clear on reading. Within this framing the NZ2035 pathway opportunities are things like community and household energy generation etc. Wales currently can do little to enhance the large renewable projects outside of planning policy, which was covered in the enablers section as well as the energy section. As you state there is already significant momentum for offshore energy etc.