North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has questioned the First Minister this week over what engagement his Government has had with the UK Government following its announcement earlier this year of a consultation on an Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to help businesses with high energy use, particularly steel, to cut their bills by increasing energy efficiency and transitioning to a low carbon future.
Before posing the question, Mr Isherwood referred to Tata Steel Colors in Shotton and their commitment to improving their environmental performance and sustainability.
Speaking in the Assembly Chamber, he said:
“Speaking here in 2015, in the Debate that called on the Welsh Government to adopt a Charter for British Sustainable Steel, I noted that Tata Steel Colors in Shotton were not only critically dependent upon the supply chain for sustainable British steel, but also had emphasised their commitment to investment in improving their environmental performance and sustainability, where they were working with Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales to meet the Industrial Emissions Directives.
“What engagement has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government since its March announcement of a consultation on an Industrial Energy Transformation fund to help businesses with high energy use cut their bills, particularly steel, backed up by £315 million of investment?”
In his reply, the First Minister Said: “Of course, we work both with the industry and, where there are opportunities, with the UK Government. The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund was discussed by my colleague Ken Skates at the opportunity that I mentioned a few moments ago (at a meeting with the new Secretary of State at the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial strategy on August 27th). And we will pursue as well the Clean Steel Fund that was announced on 29 August (by the UK Government), not intended to be operational before 2024, but offering opportunities across the United Kingdom. And I think it is very important indeed that we emphasise that to the UK Government—that this is to be a fund that is to be spent in Wales, as well as elsewhere, to assist the sector in its transition to low-carbon iron and steel production through new technologies and processes. And that will be very important for us here in Wales.”
