The Welsh government has launched a publicly-owned renewable energy developer for Wales, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru.
The company has been established to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects, particularly onshore wind, on the wider Welsh public estate and maximise their value for the people of Wales.
The Trydan Gwyrdd team, based in Merthyr Tydfil, will be working alongside Natural Resources Wales and will begin engaging with communities near initial sites at the earliest opportunity.
Jeremy Miles, Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and the Welsh Language said: “There is no question that clean energy is central to a more prosperous Wales and a better future for our communities. I hope today’s announcements show how we will make the energy transition benefit Wales, both now and in the future.
“We are already making progress in offshore wind and today marks an important step in the right direction for onshore, and in particular large scale, Welsh owned onshore projects. There are enormous opportunities here.”
Richard Evans, Chief Executive of Trydan, said: “In Wales, we have a history of social collaboration and engagement, which Trydan will continue. for people to support more and faster deployment, the renewable sector will need to visibly embed benefits into local communities, invest more in Welsh and UK supply chains, and help residents and businesses worried about energy bills.
“Today we launch our engagement seeking to bring Welsh citizens with us on this exciting journey. Next, we’ll be reaching out to local communities to discuss very early plans associated with priority projects on the Welsh woodland estate.”
Alongside the launch of the company, the Welsh Government also published a cross-Government Heat Strategy, setting out a roadmap for decarbonising the heating of homes, commercial properties and industry . The strategy looks across homes, businesses, industry and the public sector at what each area will need to put in place to achieve a low carbon energy system.
The strategy includes potentially using warm water in old mine workings to heat homes in former mining communities. The Welsh Government said the work is at a very early stage but the Coal Authority has produced detailed maps highlighting where there is potential accessible minewater. The Welsh Government will support them and local authorities in maximising the unintended opportunities from Wales’ coal heritage.