Advancing Wales’ Green Industries: Insights from a Roundtable with the Secretary of State for Wales

At the end of January, our acting programme manager, Jay, had the privilege of representing our sector in a roundtable discussion with the Secretary of State for Wales. The conversation focused on key challenges and opportunities within Wales’ green industries, including grid bottlenecks, port investment, deployment targets, and the need for consistent government support.

The discussion aimed to inform the development of the UK Government’s forthcoming Industrial Strategy, a crucial piece of policy that will shape the future of green industrial development in Wales. We joined senior industry representatives to offer our perspective on what’s needed to support the growth of Wales’ green industries.

Key Takeaways

Several key themes emerged from the conversation, which are essential for advancing Wales’ green energy potential:

1. Clarity and Consistency in Policy: Clear and stable government policies are crucial for encouraging investment and ensuring the long-term growth of the sector. A consistent approach from the government will provide the certainty businesses need to make significant investments in renewable energy and green industries.
2. Collaboration Between Governments: It was emphasized that both the UK and Welsh Governments must work together to overcome the challenges facing the green sector. Cooperation between the two levels of government will unlock the potential for clean energy, particularly in marine renewables, which must be a core part of any industrial strategy moving forward.
3. Strategic Advocacy: Effective advocacy is essential to driving real change. It’s not just about idealism but also about building momentum, engaging decision-makers, and being pragmatic to ensure that policies lead to tangible outcomes.

Our Response and Vision for Wales

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the development of green industries, we provided a detailed response to the UK Government’s Invest 2035 consultation last year. The roundtable provided a valuable opportunity to expand on these points, and we look forward to receiving more concrete details about the strategy’s shape when it’s unveiled in June.

In the meantime, there are several key areas where we believe action is essential for Wales to fully realize its green energy potential:

Marine Renewables Must Be a Core Part of the Industrial Strategy: Marine renewables present a significant opportunity for economic growth and job creation. These industries must be strategically integrated into the UK’s Industrial Strategy to ensure long-term energy security, predictable zero-carbon power, and technological leadership.

Set Clear and Ambitious Deployment Targets: The UK Government must commit to clear and measurable deployment targets for Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW). Establishing a defined grid strategy by 2035 will provide market certainty, encourage investment, and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects.

Unlock Infrastructure Investment: Grid constraints and limited port infrastructure are key bottlenecks delaying renewable energy projects. Targeted investments are needed to expand grid capacity in high-demand zones and upgrade ports to support manufacturing and the supply chain, rather than relying on international infrastructure.

Fix the Investment Environment: Stable policies and revenue support are key to attracting long-term investment. Strengthening CfDs will de-risk emerging technologies, boost investor confidence, and drive innovation through increased R&D support.

Address the Skills and Workforce Gap: The UK risks losing expertise without a coordinated strategy. Expanding funding for apprenticeships and retraining – especially for oil and gas transition workers – will ensure training programs align with industry needs and support the growing renewable sector.

Speed Up the Environmental and Planning Process: Regulatory delays and planning constraints are increasing costs and slowing deployment. More resources are needed for consenting bodies, alongside strategic pre-consented zones and cross-government coordination to streamline approval frameworks.

Keep the UK Supply Chain Competitive: To maintain a competitive advantage, the UK must avoid past mistakes that deprioritized local industry. Policies should incentivize UK-based manufacturing and establish a strategic approach to developing ports, skills, and the renewable energy supply chain.

Looking ahead

It’s clear that with the right policies, infrastructure investments, and workforce development, Wales can play a leading role in the transition to a green economy. We look forward to continuing the conversation and working with government and industry to unlock the full potential of Wales’ green industries.

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