6. Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee Report: Renewable energy in Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:12 pm on 19 October 2022.

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Photo of Alun Davies Alun Davies Labour 4:12, 19 October 2022

I will take up every second of that generous offer. Let us not go down the route—. I've seen proposals in my own constituency where turbines of 180m, 650 ft, are being proposed within 1 km of some settlements. That's the size of the valley sides in my constituency. It's a wholly inappropriate development, and I believe that that is going to undermine support for the wider, more important issues of renewables.

The point I'll complete on is this: in both the response from the Government and the report from the committee, we didn't see the use of any international examples. And do you know, Deputy Presiding Officer, it might be an issue for yourselves as well; in my time in this place, I've seen us think less of other places. I've seen us think less of how we can learn lessons from elsewhere. I was delighted to see the Deputy Minister for sport supporting the women's rugby team in New Zealand, and meeting sports organisations and cultural organisations there. I think it's really important that we do that. We should always support people who take on that role. But how do we learn lessons from, say, France or Germany, from Scotland, from the United States, from Canada, about delivering locally based and locally rooted energy generation? I believe that there are opportunities there for us to learn and apply those lessons in Wales, and I hope that both the Senedd and the Government will not be shy about seeking out those international examples and seeking to apply them here in Wales.

I actually think that, together, there is a sense of joint venture in this place, between the Government and the Senedd, and I think, if we work together on these matters, we can achieve great things for the future. I'm grateful. Thank you very much.