5. Statement by the Minister for Economy: Offshore Marine Energy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:04 pm on 17 May 2022.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 4:04, 17 May 2022

Thanks, Minister. It is good that we are welcoming this new renewable energy impetus that's coming, but do you think it's enough that the renewable energy deep dive only commits to work with Natural Resources Wales and key stakeholders to identify marine strategic resource areas by 2023, and to provide guidance to signpost appropriate and inappropriate areas for development? Now, you know our views on these benches: we want to see the Welsh Government use its legislative ability to create a legal duty to form a national marine development plan and to keep it under regular review. And that's supported by Wales Environment Link, who did inform our Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee that sectoral locational guidance, as currently proposed by the Welsh Government, is not enough. A statutory spatial plan must look cross sector at either a regional or national level to address cumulative impacts on our marine ecosystems from all marine users. And will you also look to—? I could see the Minister for Climate Change actually agreeing that there has to be these close workings between her department and yours, but will you ensure that a spatial approach is taken to marine planning, to guide the siting of these important developments away from the most ecologically sensitive areas? Thank you.