The onshore wind industry employs hundreds of people directly in Wales, and indirectly provides thousands of jobs and billions of pounds of investment.
On top of that, wind projects can help pay for local environmental improvements (see Vattenfall’s 1,500 hectare plan for Pen y Cymoedd), they support the drive towards renewable energy targets and they can help revitalise local infrastructure and boost tourism through innovative partnerships.
The new UKÂ Government is putting this at risk with their talk about eliminating the subsidy for onshore wind. The risk has been taken very seriously by Fergus Ewing, Energy Minister for Scotland, and now our own Minister for Natural Resources, Carl Sargeant, has made the case for Wales.
Plans to end on-shore wind subsidies would threaten billions in investment & thousands of welsh jobs. Urging @DECCgovuk to reconsider
— Carl Sargeant (@WG_NatResMin) June 8, 2015
Speaking about the Minister’s support for the sector, David Clubb said:
“Carl Sargeant understands the huge benefits that the onshore wind sector brings to Wales, and we are delighted to see his steadfast support for an industry which can contribute hugely to wide-ranging economic activities such as tourism, manufacturing and ecological services.
“We urge DECC to take seriously these concerns, and to consider the wider implications of decisions on onshore wind subsidy before making any hasty decisions”
David has written on the implications of any change in subsidy regime here.