6. Plaid Cymru Debate: The energy sector and the climate and nature emergencies

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:50 pm on 13 October 2021.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 4:50, 13 October 2021

The Government is also very supportive of much of the sentiment of the second part of the motion. We agree the distribution of powers and responsibilities across the UK is in need of a fundamental change. That is why we have announced our intention to establish an independent commission on the constitutional future of Wales. But what we need is a comprehensive assessment of the powers Wales needs in a fundamentally different constitutional settlement. This includes, but is very much not limited to, our responsibilities in energy and in management of the Crown Estate in Wales. And I think it's very telling that Janet Finch-Saunders seems completely oblivious to the fact that the grid is not devolved—would that it were—and her utter confusion on that is indicative of the real nature of the need to make these much more clear. Because, unfortunately, what we have seen from the Conservative Government in London is a deep hostility to devolution. As they celebrate very small investments in Wales, similar to the list in the motion from Darren Millar, the UK Government also systemically undermines the responsibilities that the people of Wales have granted this Senedd. 

We welcome investment into Wales, but we want to work with the UK Government and continue our partnership working with local government and wider social partners in Wales. However, the UK Government is, unfortunately, pushing an agenda that deliberately cuts out the Government in Wales, which has had the responsibility to deliver for Wales over the last three decades. The way the UK Government has proceeded on funding for fisheries is a direct attack on devolution, and has caused confusion, and will continue to create unnecessary ill will amongst stakeholders. The Government will not be supporting the amendment from Darren Millar. The Government's amendment shares the sentiment of the original motion, and I call on all Members to support it. 

As we look forward to COP26, it is very important that we do not forget the action that has already been taken at previous UN climate change conferences of the parties, including COP24. We have been clear that, as we move to a greater share of our energy coming from renewable sources, this transition must be a just one. We heard something of the last transition, which was not a just one, and we are very determined that this one will be not be thus. Our programme for government underlines the importance of social justice and a transition to net zero that leaves no-one behind and no place behind. The Silesia declaration at COP24 captured the need to support workers as part of this move to net zero. We remain committed to the spirit of that declaration, reflecting its essence in our social partnership Bill and our working methodologies.

Through the regional skills partnership, we are working to ensure that the education infrastructure is in place to support the growth in the green economy, and Marine Energy Wales are developing the resources needed to maximise the opportunity for new skilled jobs in marine energy in Wales. I really do agree with large numbers of Members who've contributed today that this is a chance for us to get thousands of new green jobs for the people of Wales in developing these new industries, and I call on the Senedd to confirm its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Silesia declaration.

Deputy Llywydd, we are clear that the Welsh Government has a key part to play in the transformation of our energy system away from the use of fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. Our net-zero plan, to be published in the coming weeks, sets out the key actions we will put in place to ensure that this is indeed the decade of action, and that the foundations are laid to meet our renewable and net-zero targets. In encouraging the significant scaling up of renewable energy, we are committed to retaining the wealth in our economy and in our communities. So, tomorrow, my colleague Lee Waters will begin a deep dive to determine the actions we can take to overcome the barriers to investment, and how we can increase the renewable energy generation capacity owned by public bodies and community groups across Wales. We want the public sector to take a leading role in the development of renewable energy in Wales. Leaving investment solely to the private sector will not secure the scale of benefits that our communities need, nor the share of benefits of our national resources that we need for the people of Wales.

In the coming weeks, I will be setting out further details on our plans to set up a publicly owned renewable energy developer to lead investment in Wales. We know that the opportunities for that are very significant. In the Celtic sea alone, we are seeing the beginning of a revolution in marine energy, with a potential for 15 GW of floating offshore wind. We are committed to ensuring that our ports, our businesses and our communities are ready to benefit from that investment. Through the marine energy programme, we are developing options to secure the scale of investment needed in our ports in Wales. This will bring direct job opportunities and new investment to our local communities, and through the marine energy programme, we're also considering how Wales can best maximise the opportunities from tidal energy generation, including the work under way to bring forward a tidal lagoon challenge to make sure that we stay in the forefront of developments on tidal lagoon across the world.

As we explore the opportunities for marine energy, we also recognise the impact that marine energy can have on our environment and the biodiversity of our marine environment. The Welsh national marine plan sets the strategic framework for development to make sure new developments follow the consenting procedures and undertake a habitats regulation assessment at either the plan or project level, ensuring protection of designated sites. Since the publication of the marine national plan—the Welsh national marine plan, sorry; that's a bit of a tongue-twister—further work has begun to map sector interactions, identification of key areas of resource to which safeguarding policy will apply, and developing greater understanding of ecological constraints. Through this work, we will be providing guidance for understanding the most suitable locations for marine energy development.

In closing, Dirprwy Lywydd, I return to the importance of COP26. I urge world leaders to show the collective leadership that this generation and future generations require when they meet in Glasgow in just 18 days. We must not miss this opportunity. We cannot let the short-term response to the current energy market conditions jeopardise the decisive action needed. A priority action must be a global commitment to end the use of coal for energy generation. As set out in our coal policy earlier this year, we oppose the extraction and use of fossil fuels, and support social justice in the economic transition away from their use. We urge all nations to follow our leadership in Wales, and I call on the Senedd to support the motion in the name of Lesley Griffiths. Diolch.