Wales’ renewable energy industry has issued a clear challenge to the next Welsh Government ahead of the 2026 Senedd election: back a bold clean power strategy or risk billions in investment flowing elsewhere in the UK.
RenewableUK Cymru’s Cymru Clean Power: Call for Government 2026 sets out how Wales could unlock a £10bn economic opportunity, support 8,000 secure jobs and generate up to £183m in community benefit funding over the next decade.
Electricity demand in Wales is projected to double, potentially triple, by 2050. Two planned AI Growth Zones alone could require as much electricity as a city the size of Cardiff.
Electrified heavy industry, electric vehicles and heat pumps are also expected to drive demand higher.
Yet much of Wales’ electricity still comes from imported gas, leaving households and businesses exposed to global price volatility.
The industry body argues Wales has some of the strongest wind and tidal resources in Europe.
Accelerating large-scale wind, solar and tidal projects could deliver average salaries of £49,000, around £10,000 above the Welsh average, while strengthening local supply chains.
However, RenewableUK Cymru said grid reform is critical. Without modernising and expanding network capacity, projects will stall and investment decisions will move elsewhere.
It also warned that burying power lines can cost up to five times more than overhead alternatives, with implications for consumers.
Director Jessica Hooper said a proposed Cymru Clean Power Partnership between government and industry would secure affordable, home-grown energy and anchor long-term economic growth across Wales.
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