National energy company should be created to take advantage of Wales’ ‘vast wealth’ say Plaid

Plaid Cymru have pledged to create a national energy company with the aim of taking advantage of Wales’ “vast wealth” of green electricity sources.

Ynni Cymru, an energy project development company, would follow a model similar to Transport for Wales or the Development Bank for Wales.

Plaid Cymru’s Ynys Môn incumbent Rhun ap Iorwerth said that the Ynni Cymru would first create an ‘Energy Atlas’ identifying possible sources of green energy across Wales.

“Wales has a vast amount of natural wealth but we need to reap those benefits for local communities, for Wales and for our environment,” he said.

“That is why a Plaid Cymru government would establish a national energy company for Wales – Ynni Cymru – that would give us greater control over electricity generation.”

‘Locally owned’

The national energy company would be located on Ynys Môn, where there is potential for projects to develop tidal energy.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said the project would benefit local communities and Wales as a whole, whilst helping the country to combat climate change.

“I am delighted that a Plaid government would locate Ynni Cymru on Ynys Môn where there is huge untapped potential in terms of natural resources and where local communities would benefit from the economic boost of a new development coming to the island,” he said.

“It would be responsible for mapping out an Energy Atlas – a national inventory of green energy potential that will allow us to identify opportunities to develop new Welsh firms and community energy projects.

“Tidal energy, off our southern and northern coasts, including the exciting projects off the Anglesey coast, would form a major part of this, as well as mapping green hydrogen potential and increasing offshore wind generation.

“A Plaid government would also be committed to ensuring all new renewable energy projects are at least partly owned by the local community.

“These are ambitious but workable plans that will help Wales tackle the climate emergency whilst creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs as part of a sustainable economic recovery.”