9. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote renewable energy generation? OQ58642

We want Wales to produce sufficient renewable energy to meet our own needs and to retain the economic and social benefits of doing so. We are creating a public sector renewable developer as we maximise the potential for both onshore and offshore wind energy.

Diolch, Trefnydd. A couple of weeks ago, RenewableUK Cymru marked Wales wind energy week by hosting a reception here in the Senedd. Trefnydd, I'm sure that you'll have been bored of me taking every opportunity since my election to repeatedly highlight the exciting opportunity and potential that lies off the south Pembrokeshire coast in the Celtic sea in regard to renewable energy, specifically floating offshore wind, which can not only help meet our energy needs but also provide high-quality employment opportunities too. It's worth noting, indeed, that the UK has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than any other G20 country since 1990. During the reception, I spoke with industry representatives who expressed their concerns as to whether the existing port and supply chain infrastructure and planning regime is sufficient to support the generation of both green and blue energy, particularly those schemes proposed by Blue Gem Wind and RWE Power, within the time frames required to be commercially viable. Given this, and in anticipation of the climate change Minister's statement this afternoon, what reassurances can you provide to these organisations and to others wishing to invest in the Celtic sea that your Government is on the side of renewable energy projects? Diolch.

As I said in my earlier answers to two of our colleagues, the First Minister and I met with many of these developers—and Blue Gem was absolutely represented around that table—in Cork, where we had those discussions. They're absolutely under no illusion that the Welsh Government is there to support them as they bring these projects forward.