SHOW SOME AMBITION

The Labour in Wales Welsh Government needs to show some ambition and to strive to build a secure energy future for Wales. The devolution of energy powers to Wales can create a system of community beneficial renewable energy projects, and result in fairer energy prices for us - the customers. Our Government needs to be able to decide on energy projects for the whole of Wales to achieve long-term energy goals and to establish an arms-length, publicly owned not-for-distributable-profit energy company – Ynni Cymru.

Aside from our people, our country’s greatest asset is the potential of our natural resources. These need to be managed in a sustainable way that promotes fairness. Before we can develop a sustainable future for our country, the Welsh Government needs to make better use of its existing powers and achieve the devolution of powers over planning for renewable energy for Wales.

The Welsh Government needs to develop binding sustainable energy targets and to assume responsibility for delivering them. Our communities need to get a direct benefit from larger energy projects in their area and the opportunity to participate in and to develop small-scale community energy projects. All energy projects in Wales need to include community benefit clauses so that our communities get something back.

We need to urgently establish of an arms-length, publicly-owned, not-for-distributable-profit energy company – Ynni Cymru – something that should directly benefit Welsh energy customers by helping us to pay a fair price for their energy. Energy bills in Wales have risen three times faster than wages since 2008, and the establishment of Ynni Cymru can help to tackle this issue directly.

Once we were a world leader in carbon-based energy and we have the potential to be a world leader in developing sustainable energy projects. For this to happen then our Government needs to work to create the right environment so that everyone in Wales can benefit, rather than leaving it to disinterested Westminster based governments and the Big 6 energy cartel members. Our potential as a world leader in green industries needs to be unlocked and we need to create a stronger and more economically self-sufficient Wales.