UK Energy Minister to give evidence to MPs on grid connectivity in Wales
Marking its final evidence session exploring Grid capacity in Wales, the Welsh Affairs Committee will be putting questions to Energy Minister Greg Hands.
In 2017, the Welsh Government announced a target of meeting the equivalent of 70% of Wales’ electricity demand from renewable electricity sources by 2030. The UK Government’s recently published Energy Security Strategy re-emphasised its commitment to renewable energy, with a target set that 95% of Great Britain’s electricity be low carbon by 2030. Energy is a policy area where responsibilities are shared between the UK and Welsh Governments. The UK Government is responsible for regulating the UK oil and gas industry and the electricity industry, including the generation, transmission, distribution and supply.
Wales has enormous potential in terms of renewable energy such as wind, tidal and wave resources. However, proposed projects have hit barriers in terms of connection availability and capacity, while current electricity grid capacity, both in distribution and transmission, is a significant challenge.
Likely areas of questioning
During this evidence session, the Committee will be exploring with the Minister a range of issues, such as renewable projects facing delays in connecting to the grid, investment on grid infrastructure and how the UK Government is supporting the Welsh Government’s commitment to local, community energy projects.