Climate

Net-zero Wales and the generation game

Published

1 year ago

February 6, 2025

THIS WEEK’S episode of Panorama explored the significant clean energy projects creating tension across Britain.

“Rewiring Britain: The Race to Go Green” examined the UK’s efforts to create a greener, more sustainable energy infrastructure. It highlighted the challenges and opportunities associated with reducing carbon emissions, increasing renewable energy sources, and modernizing the national grid.

The programme incidentally highlighted an unusual set of data about Wales’s contribution of net-zero energy to the UK’s National Grid.

BBC Reporter Justin Rowlatt visited the headquarters of the National Energy System Operator (NESO). NESO ensures that Great Britain has the necessary energy by matching supply with demand every second of every day.It also monitors the contributions made to the UK energy grid from net-zero sources.

In a cutaway shot establishing that just over half of the UK’s energy came from net-zero sources.
The UK is divided into six distribution network licence areas, as shown in the screenshot accompanying this article.

What draws the eye, at least Welsh eyes, is the amount of net-zero energy provided by the area covering South Wales and South West England.

That amount was zero on the day the BBC attended NESO HQ. Given the number of large green energy infrastructure projects in South Wales, this seems astonishing. It is even more astonishing when one considers the large green energy projects across the South West of England.

An examination of the data underlying the chart shows why that is the case: almost three-quarters of ALL energy generated in South Wales comes from fossil fuels. That means that all of the net-zero energy generated in South Wales is consumed in the region and is not exported as surplus to the UK Grid.

To check our conclusion we asked NESO a series of questions, the answers to which confirmed that South Wales (the figures for North Wales are in the North West area on the screenshot), was not a net exporter of green energy to the grid.

When we checked earlier this week, we confirmed that was still the case.

Those data appear to run a coach and horses through claims that Wales is leading the way in green energy.

As it stands, South Wales isn’t even generating enough net-zero energy to power homes and businesses across South Wales. As planned green energy projects, such as the controversial plan to erect a chain of pylons and windfarms across rural Wales, focus on energy production for homes and businesses outside Wales, the benefits to the South Wales economy of supposedly “green” infrastructure projects appear marginal.

The UK government asserts that building new pylons, solar plants, wind turbines, and electricity substations is essential for achieving its ambitious goal of decarbonizing the country’s electricity by 2030. To expedite these projects and stimulate the economy, the government plans to “streamline” the planning process. However, many protesters contend that this approach risks overlooking their objections.

While some praise the UK government’s reforms, which aim to accelerate energy projects, there has also been significant criticism. Many stakeholders—including environmental groups, local communities, and planning experts—express concerns about the erosion of local democracy and community input. Critics warn that these proposed changes may undermine local decision-making by prioritizing national targets over community interests and feedback.
Despite the necessity of green energy projects for reducing carbon emissions, there are worries that large developments, such as solar farms and wind turbines, could negatively impact local ecosystems and biodiversity if not carefully managed.

Furthermore, the government faces criticism for not adequately addressing how to balance the need for renewable energy with other priorities, including housing development and infrastructure. The use of agricultural land for solar farms or bioenergy crops raises additional concerns about food security and the loss of productive farmland.

Large-scale renewable projects, especially wind turbines, can significantly alter landscapes. This has led to resistance from residents and conservationists who value the rural areas’ visual and cultural heritage. For example, in Lincolnshire, proposed solar farms are set to cover an area larger than Greater Manchester. Critics argue that the government’s focus on large-scale projects overlooks the potential benefits of smaller, community-led initiatives and energy efficiency measures, which could also play a crucial role in decarbonization.

The drive to achieve net zero, or at least energy self-sufficiency and energy security, is admirable in intent. However, marrying ambitions and outputs with the views of those whose homes, land, and lives will be most affected by the infrastructure and structures needed to support them is as far away as ever.

Climate

Green hydrogen plant approved for Milford Haven Freeport site

Published

19 hours ago

March 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Major investment expected to boost low-carbon industry and create skilled jobs in West Wales

A MAJOR green hydrogen project planned for the Milford Haven Freeport tax site has taken a significant step forward after developers approved the final investment decision.

Energy company MorGen Energy has confirmed it will proceed with the West Wales Hydrogen project, one of the first schemes backed through the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) to reach this stage.

The facility will be built within the Milford Haven Tax Site, part of the Celtic Freeport zone covering Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the plant scheduled to become operational in early 2028.

Once completed, the site is expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen each year, meeting the UK’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.

The hydrogen produced will support a range of industries, including port operations, manufacturing and industrial heating, as well as use as a chemical feedstock.

Supporters say the development will help reduce carbon emissions while strengthening Milford Haven’s role in the UK’s emerging hydrogen economy.

The project is also expected to create skilled jobs and provide work for local contractors during the construction phase.

Further expansion may be possible in future phases as demand for hydrogen grows, potentially helping establish Milford Haven as a major hub for low-carbon energy production serving South Wales and beyond.

Luciana Ciubotariu, Chief Executive of Celtic Freeport, said the decision marked another milestone for the region.

She said: “MorGen Energy’s decision is another major step forward for the hydrogen economy in South West Wales.

“Projects like this within the Milford Haven Tax Site show how the Celtic Freeport is accelerating decarbonisation while creating high-value jobs.”

The UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round scheme provides revenue support to help scale up the country’s low-carbon hydrogen sector and bring early projects to market.

Climate

Assault investigation launched after biker gang incident on A48

Published

3 days ago

March 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE appeal for witnesses after man reportedly attacked by group of eight men near Llanddarog junction

Local officers are investigating an alleged assault that took place on the A48 westbound at the Llanddarog junction, before the Nantycaws turn-off, at around 2:30pm on Saturday (Mar 7).

The incident is reported to have involved eight men who had parked Harley-Davidson motorcycles in a lay-by. The group allegedly assaulted a man who was travelling in a car.

The victim sustained moderate injuries and their vehicle was also damaged during the incident.

Anyone with information, or with private CCTV or dashcam footage showing suspicious activity in the area at the time, is asked to contact police in one of the following ways:

Online: https://orlo.uk/KRjzb
Email: [email protected]
Call: 101

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please quote reference: DP-20260307-227.

Climate

Wind farm proposal in Teifi Valley withdrawn after developer review

Published

4 days ago

March 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Countryside charity welcomes decision but warns over cumulative impact of dozens of schemes across Wales

THE WELSH countryside charity CPRW has welcomed the decision by energy developer Bute Energy to withdraw its planning application for the proposed Nant Ceiment Energy Park in Carmarthenshire.

The scheme would have seen up to thirteen large wind turbines constructed in the Teifi Valley landscape.

Bute Energy confirmed the withdrawal following what it described as a detailed review of environmental, land and commercial factors, concluding that the project was not viable in its current form.

Local residents and campaigners had raised concerns about the potential impact of the turbines and the wider cumulative effect of multiple large wind developments being proposed across rural Wales.

CPRW chairman Jonty Colchester said the decision demonstrated the importance of scrutiny and public engagement during the planning process.

He said: “We welcome the withdrawal of the Nant Ceiment proposal. It shows that careful scrutiny and community engagement matter.

“Wales does need renewable energy, but it must be delivered through a strategic and coordinated approach that fully respects our landscapes, biodiversity and rural communities.”

The charity says it is currently monitoring more than seventy wind energy proposals progressing through the planning system across Wales.

These include major schemes such as Lan Fawr, Banc y Celyn, Gaerwen, Nant Mithil, Mynydd Maen and projects being promoted by the publicly owned developer Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru.

CPRW warned that several developments in south Wales highlight growing concerns about cumulative impact.

Planning decisions are still pending for schemes including Mynydd Maen, proposed by RES, and Trecelyn, promoted by Pennant Walters. Both developments are linked to the recently approved 92-acre Cil-lonydd solar farm.

Further proposals include four turbines at Rhyswg, while hearings are due to consider the Mynydd Llanhilleth scheme, which would involve seven turbines standing up to 180 metres high.

Campaigners say that when these projects are considered together, they raise concerns about the gradual expansion of large-scale energy infrastructure and the potential industrialisation of wide areas of upland Wales.

While supporting the transition to renewable energy, CPRW says it wants to see a more strategic approach to development that balances the need for green power with protection for landscapes, biodiversity and tourism.

The organisation is calling for a national renewables strategy that takes cumulative impacts into account, with greater emphasis placed on offshore wind projects. It is also urging improved transparency and stronger community involvement earlier in the planning process, alongside robust environmental standards to prevent unsuitable developments going ahead.

Further information on onshore wind proposals across Wales is available on the CPRW website.