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E-mail this to a friendSpeaking at a Crown Estate reception in the Senedd the Minister announced a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Welsh Government and the Crown Estate and said that the Crown Estate’s position right at the centre of the low carbon industry put it in an ideal position to support the delivery of a diverse and secure energy supply for the whole of the UK.
The Minister spoke about Wales’ own low carbon ambitions which he hoped would be furthered by joint working with the Crown Estate. He said:
“Our recently launched policy “Energy Wales – A Low Carbon Transition” outlines that energy is a defining issue of our generation and one on which the Welsh Government is determined to lead.
“Wales has strong assets in virtually every energy source, and specifically wind and marine. We now the have the chance to harness those assets in ways that work with and grow our businesses and our industries, create long term employment, develop our resources rather than simply extract them and ensure the long term viability of our communities.”
The Welsh Government is committed to unlocking the energy in Welsh seas, as demonstrated by the existing offshore wind projects off North Wales, the Gwynt Y Mor project currently under construction, and the planned Celtic and Atlantic Array wind farms.
It also recently jointly hosted a supply chain event with the Crown Estate to bring key industry players from the renewable energy sector and Welsh businesses together, and to highlight the manufacturing and support service opportunities on offer for Welsh business.
On marine energy, the Minister said that the Welsh Government would continue to work hard to bring government, industry and academia together to focus on the delivery of the technology. He welcomed the Crown Estate’s recent decision to grant seabed lease agreements in both North and West Wales.
The Minister said:
“Our formalised relationship with the Crown Estate will help Wales to achieve its potential to be a world leader in marine energy, both as a significant generator and as an exporter of marine energy knowledge, technologies and services.
“I warmly welcome the Crown Estate’s decision to offer in principle agreements to lease the seabed for two tidal array projects off Wales one in the North, and one in the South These are very positive developments that can only help us to progress and achieve our marine ambitions.
“I look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the Crown Estate and to identifying key areas of work which will help us to fast track and deliver marine energy in Wales.
“There is real potential for the marine energy sector to deliver long term, secure, well paid and skilled jobs. This is a huge opportunity for Wales to forge a better future and once again lead an energy revolution. “
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