6. Plaid Cymru Debate: Decarbonisation

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:25 pm on 26 February 2020.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 4:25, 26 February 2020

(Translated)

We know about Morlais, the community initiative that's part of Menter Môn, which is developing a marine energy project in the demonstration testbed off the western Anglesey coast. But Menter Môn has also been leading a piece of work looking at the potential of the hydrogen industry on Ynys Môn: taking action locally for the benefit of the community and for the benefit of the environment. They, like me, see that we are looking at something here that can bring great benefits to us on so many different levels, from the local to the national, and indeed globally.

The German Government is excited about hydrogen. They're launching their national hydrogen strategy this spring. The German federal Government says that hydrogen is the new oil. I was reading earlier blogs and articles that refer to how hydrogen, for example, is going to transform supply chains globally and how it's going to be vital in decarbonising our homes, and how they're heated in particular.

There are projects in Wales already. I've referred to the tender from the Government and to Menter Môn's research into Ynys Môn as a hydrogen island. I'll refer also to the Milford Haven Energy Kingdom project in Milford Haven, which is trying to innovate in the shift from fossil fuels and fossil fuel gas to hydrogen. These are all things to be welcomed.

But, let us today make a clear statement that Wales wants to be an innovator in hydrogen. And as a sign of our seriousness and our intent in helping to lead in this battle against climate change, and to change to a new kind of industry as well, which will bring benefits on so many different levels, Wales, according to our statement today, will be part of that revolution.