The Welsh government has launched a Renewable Energy Sector Deal, targeting 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2035
The government plans to accelerate project delivery as electricity demand rises with transport and heating decarbonization
Developed with industry, the deal focuses on 7 areas, including investment conditions, grid, skills, innovation, supply chains, though it does not set technology-specific capacity targets
The Government of Wales has launched a new Renewable Energy Sector Deal. The plan sets targets to meet 70% of its annual electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030. With the addition of at least 1.5 GW of locally owned renewable energy capacity, it aims to achieve 100% renewable energy consumption by 2035 and a carbon-neutral public sector by 2030.
The Renewable Energy Sector Deal, however, does not specify individual targets for specific technologies. Back in 2019, the Institute of Welsh Affairs released a report that emphasized focus on renewables. It recommended establishing 2.67 GW of solar, 2.5 GW of onshore wind, 1.7 GW of offshore wind, and 4 GW of marine and floating wind turbine capacity.
Currently, renewables account for 53% of Wales’s current electricity consumption. Anticipating an increase in electricity demand as the decarbonization of transport and heating accelerates, the government says it wants to take urgent measures through this deal to speed up the delivery of renewable energy projects.
“The current conflict in the Middle East has further highlighted the importance of energy independence. Our Renewable Energy Sector Deal will provide a strong foundation for the future delivery of renewable energy – to the benefit of our economy, environment and energy security,” said Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans.
Developed in consultation with the renewable energy sector, the deal is structured around 7 themes that require coordinated action: creating an enabling environment; market and investment conditions; skills and the workforce; the grid; innovation and research; infrastructure and supply chains; and community ownership and benefits.
Part of the process will entail looking into existing provisions, which can then be assessed for possible revisions to speed up renewable energy deployment.
RenewableUK Cymru says the deal, also known as Cymru Clean Power, covers onshore and offshore wind, solar, and tidal technologies while strengthening local supply chains and building the workforce.
“By scaling up home‑grown renewables, Wales is showing leadership by reducing our exposure to global shocks beyond our control - and commitment to building an energy system based on affordable, secure power produced here at home,” stated Renewable UK.
The government said some actions under the Renewable Energy Sector Deal will begin immediately, while longer-term commitments will depend on the priorities of the next administration. Elections for the Welsh Parliament are scheduled for May 7, 2026.
Recently, Wales took the lead in the UK by making it mandatory for all new buildings to have solar panels with effect from March 4, 2027 (see Wales To Make Solar Panels Mandatory On New Buildings From March 2027).