Thank you for your email regarding the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Whilst I support the global efforts to phase out fossil fuels eventually, measures must be fair, attainable and sustainable, and must support the economy. The transition to phase out fossil fuels must not negatively impact jobs and increase our reliance on foreign energy.
As I have said in the Senedd, new fossil-fuel-powered production in Wales is not an ‘either/or’ choice, and as I warned, failure to accept and plan for the risks, risks leaving people cold, hungry, thirsty and exposed to life-threatening instability.
I also noted that the International Energy Agency defines Energy Security as ‘the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price’; that current levels of energy technology and infrastructure necessitate back-up for intermittent renewable energy, which remains dependent upon fossil fuels, predominantly gas, for rapid response and to balance demand, particularly when wind and solar outputs are low; and that this is likely to remain the case for much of the transition period to a carbon-neutral future, and it would be a disservice to the public to pretend otherwise.
It concerns me that the current Government in Westminster are planning on not issuing new licenses for North Sea oil and gas, putting pressure on thousands of skilled workers and compromising both energy security and economic growth.
Without a strong plan, the UK Government’s approach risks leaving workers and families in oil-dependent regions vulnerable, with the risk of straining the UK’s energy independence. As it stands, net zero will not be attainable by 2050 without a significant drop in living standards or bankruptcy.
In Wales, our infrastructure is lacking and, in particular, our grid is not fit to meet the 2050 Net Zero target. It is therefore vital for our energy security and progression towards our climate change targets that Wales’ infrastructure is improved