In the final part of her two part series, the Welsh Environment Minister explores the other policy tool government and society have to combat climate change immediately ie Energy Efficiency. The Minister highlights the Welsh approach.
Energy Efficiency
We want to ensure that all new buildings in Wales are built to the highest possible low carbon standards. Higher standards through devolved Building Regulations would be aimed at delivering the aspiration for all new buildings to be zero carbon by 2011.
We also commit to expanding our services available through our new Sustainable Energy Network and encouraging rapid progress with smart meter installations and take up of support from energy suppliers.
Although not a major contributor in terms of our electricity production targets, we believe the wider take-up of micro-generation has a key role to play in helping people understand how energy is produced and used. To support the take –up we propose to:
- issue planning guidance to make micro generation easier to install
- encourage a fair price from utilities for the ‘export’ of locally produced electricity on to the grid
- increase the role of renewable/alternative energy solutions under our Home Energy Efficiency Service.
Distributed generation
Possible actions include:
- support community-sized wind, biomass and hydroelectric schemes through the provision of grants through the climate change framework of the EU Convergence Funds programme
- explore the scope for developing energy supply companies (ESCo) in Wales that could support off-grid developments and innovative energy efficiency packages.
Planning consents and electricity grid infrastructure
On planning consents and grid infrastructure we will strongly encourage the exploration of opportunities for wind developments of up to 25MW in urban/brown field site areas.
We also propose working with OFGEM to ensure connection of new renewables plants are given precedence over connections to new fossil fuel plants not fitted with carbon capture and storage systems. We will consider how cost effective grid connections to sparser developments can best be enabled.
Research and development is a key area and we will look to build on the considerable expertise in Wales by:
- ensuring exploitable energy innovations are eligible for new EU Structural Funds support
- exploring the exceptional international opportunities for Wales in marine energy in conjunction with International Business Wales.
- developing the skills agenda to ensure as much research and development as possible and other activity is translated into company wealth generation
To see the route map and take part in the consultation, please visit: