North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has today highlighted in the Senedd new green technology opportunities in North Wales and called on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to embrace them for the good of residents, businesses and the environment.
Speaking in this afternoon’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood, who is Chair of the Senedd’s Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency, referred to new green technologies which are a being developed in North Wales in consequence of proposals in the UK Energy Bill and asked the First Minister what actions the Welsh Government is taking to adopt them.
He said:
“Proposals in the UK Energy Security Bill, now known as the Energy Bill, include extension of the energy price cap beyond 2023 and of the role of the electricity and market regulator, Ofgem, to cover heat networks. After decades of reliance in importing expensive foreign fossil fuels, this Bill seeks to shift our energy system towards cleaner, more affordable energy sources to power more of Wales and Britain from Wales and Britain.
“In consequence, new green technologies are set to be developed and deployed here in Wales, including carbon capture usage and storage and hydrogen at Hanson's Padeswood cement works in Flintshire, floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic sea, and new nuclear energy in north-west Wales.
“How is the Welsh Government therefore working with the UK Government to embrace these opportunities to support Welsh residents, provide clean, secure electricity to their homes, support our businesses, and deliver energy security during the transition we all support to the sustainable zero-carbon technologies of tomorrow?”
Responding, the First Minister said: “There are still a series of issues that need to be resolved, particularly in the way the Bill treats powers that are already devolved to this Senedd, which will need to be put right before we are likely to be able to positively recommend that the Bill secures legislative consent. I hope that those things can be put right, because there is much in this Bill with which we would be happy to work and to welcome.”
ENDS