Green Energy in Ynys Môn

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 1:54 pm on 29 September 2021.

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Photo of Rhun ap Iorwerth Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru 1:54, 29 September 2021

(Translated)

Thank you very much for that response. I was pleased to hear a reference to offshore wind energy. There's a very real economic opportunity for Ynys Môn from proposed BP developments in the Irish sea—the Mona and Morgan windfarms. I'm very eager to ensure that Holyhead will be the port to service the Mona development. It would create jobs and provide long-term assurances. But we also need investment in the port for that to happen. BP have said, by the way, that they don't have to have free-port status to deliver this, but if it could be useful, it would be good to see the UK Government providing the same funding to free ports in Wales as they give to those in England.

But more importantly, I think the UK Government needs to contribute from the £160 million pot that they have to develop ports for energy projects. So, will the Minister join with me in urging for a percentage of this funding to go to Holyhead, and will he commit to give Welsh Government support to this development in the port of Holyhead, to develop this project that would be of great economic benefit for the local economy and the Welsh economy?