With just under two weeks to go until Wales’ premier energy event, Renewable Wales, we thought you’d like to read the Foreword to the programme, penned by our Director, David Clubb. Enjoy – and see you on the 16th!
Foreword
Although the big news so far of 2016 has been the election for the National Assembly, it will be also be defined in Wales by the passage of the Act for the Well-Being of Future Generations. This legislation has the potential to be best practice internationally for securing the livelihoods and environment for those yet to be born, whilst respecting the rights of those currently living and working here.
Yet although the Well-Being of Future Generations Act is something of a showpiece for Wales, it is just one element of an already-impressive body of legislation which is setting Wales apart from other parts of the UK – for the most part in a very positive way for our industry.
Other influential legislative tools include the Planning Act which gives greater clarity on the planning process, particularly timescales, for renewable energy projects; the Environment Act which requires continued action from public sector bodies on tackling their own environmental footprint; and the Active Travel Act which will reduce the future growth of traffic, and therefore the energy required in moving people in communities across Wales.
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| Better infrastructure and facilities for walkers and cyclists in Wales will result from the Active Travel Act Photo: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes |
Every year we comment on the records being broken by the sector, and that trend has continued, with renewable electricity overtaking nuclear in 2015 to become the third-largest generating sector in the UK. Despite a very challenging policy environment we know that there are still thousands of renewable energy generators being deployed every day, each one of them reducing our greenhouse gas impact, and postponing the need for grid infrastructure upgrades.
Although there is much to celebrate, there are huge hurdles to be overcome if we are to become a truly sustainable country which fully reaps the benefit from a sustainable energy economy.
In common with the rest of the UK, grid issues continue to plague new developments. Whilst electricity storage can be a part of the solution – and our Smart Energy Wales event in September will help you understand more on that – teething pains abound, and the regulators have a difficult job ahead in trying to balance the integrity of the network with the requirement for connecting millions of distributed generators.
We are still awaiting the blossoming of our nascent marine energy sector, and though there are a myriad of encouraging signs in Pembrokeshire and Anglesey, success can not be taken for granted. The support of the Welsh Government in this sector is truly appreciated.
The Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon awaits the outcome of a review into the viability and cost of tidal lagoons in the UK. This project has truly transformative potential for the energy sector, the wider supply chain, and for the development of the whole Swansea Bay City Region. We very much hope that the review into tidal lagoons concludes that they are an important part of the energy infrastructure of the UK.
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| Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon proposes a wide variety of leisure amenities, along with the energy generation |
As previously mentioned, 2016 was the year of the National Assembly elections. We congratulate the successful candidates, and note with pleasure the strong commitment to sustainability in many of the new Members, as well as considerable expertise brought from other legislative chambers. We look forward to working with the new Assembly in order to bring the many benefits of a thriving sustainable energy sector to the people, businesses and communities of Wales. You have your chance to quiz some Assembly Members in our ever-popular Energy Question Time which rounds off the programme for the day.
Finally, we strongly encourage all today’s attendees to vote in the referendum on 23rd June. Whilst we are not formally adopting a position, the result of the referendum will strongly influence opportunities for growth of the sector. Many issues ranging from renewable energy targets to energy efficiency in buildings are dealt with differently because of our membership of the EU.
Our thanks to the sponsors of this event – FreshwaterUK and RES – and to you, the attendees. I’m sure that you will find the day an enjoyable one, and hope that the rest of 2016 is enjoyable and productive.