North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has questioned the First Minister this week over the proposed electricity generation station at Seiont Quarry in Caernarfon and asked how his Government will ensure energy security during the years of transition to a carbon-neutral future.
Mr Isherwood raised the matter in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament during a question on the Welsh Government's policy on new gas-fired power plants in Arfon.
He said:
“Concerns over plans to create Gas-fired plants in Arfon have referred to the need to shift away from a dependency on fossil fuels to generate energy.
“The International Energy Agency defines Energy Security as the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price.
“Current levels of energy technology and infrastructure necessitate backup for intermittent renewable energy, which remains dependent upon fossil fuels, predominantly gas.
“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 is understood that the proposed gas-fired power plant on the Caernarfon’s former Seiont Brickworks Quarry site would be a short term operating reserve plant, or “Peaking Plant”.
“This would provide rapid response and balance demand, particularly when wind and solar outputs are low.
“How does the Welsh Government propose to ensure energy security during the years of transition to a carbon-neutral future, in order to ensure that people can stay warm, fed and hydrated without interruption?”
Responding, the First Minister said:
“I can't and won't comment on the individual application. Gas is the predominant peaking technology; hydro and battery storage are also in use as well. That is a fact and a reality. None of that moves away from the position I've set out that there is a presumption against new fossil-fuel-powered production in Wales. Each application must be considered on its merits, which is exactly what will happen with any application the Member has raised today or may do in the future.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood said:
“The First Minister’s statement that there is a ‘presumption against new fossil- fuel-powered production in Wales’ ignores the technological and scientific reality that this is not an ‘either/or’ choice. Current battery technology only provides a few hours backup at best. Failure to accept and plan for this reality risks leaving people cold, hungry, thirsty and vulnerable to life-threatening situations.”