Written question WQ96944
- Asked by
- Samuel KurtzConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What is the Cabinet Secretary doing to address grid capacity constraints that are holding back economic development in rural areas?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning
The responsibility for strategic spatial planning and for funding networks is reserved to UK Government but our proactive work on the needs of Wales is driving action.
Welsh Government is working with the UK Government, the National Energy System Operator, stakeholders and business to establish what energy infrastructure we will need to meet the needs of people in Wales.
Welsh Government has been working with local authorities and other regional development bodies to develop Local Energy Action Plans across Wales, which has given extensive insight and data for distribution network operators to bid for funding from Ofgem to deliver reinforcements.
As we wait for grid to be upgraded, Welsh Government invested £10 million in 2024-25 financial year into Smart Local Energy Schemes under the Ynni Cymru programme. This has provided funding to community groups and small businesses looking to match local generation and demand, to bring on development despite grid capacity constraints.
For example, Little Pencoed Farm Ltd in Pembrokeshire received funding to enhance energy efficiency and increase on-site renewable energy consumption within a co-working space that supports 10 local businesses. Welsh Government’s Ynni Cymru scheme supported the expansion of the existing solar PV system and 20kWh battery storage, improving use of renewable energy on site through enhanced inverter performance and storage capacity.