From exploitation to empowerment: Towards Welsh energy sovereignty
Carolyn Thomas MS
For centuries, Welsh natural resources have been the source of immense wealth – but rarely for the people who live here.
Our coal powered the Industrial Revolution, our slate helped to roof the world, and our villages were drowned to provide water for English cities.
That legacy of exploitation still echoes today. The British royal family continues to profit from the Welsh seabed through the Crown Estate, whilst fossil fuel companies see the North East Wales shoreline as little more than a dumping ground for their fanciful ‘carbon capture’ schemes.
Once again, we are at risk of being treated as a resource bank for others to draw from, with wealth siphoned out of Wales and into the bank accounts of the already wealthy.
Profit
It is little wonder that the exploitation of Welsh natural resources for the profit of others is an increasingly salient political issue. The growing politicisation of the issue has focused minds on the fundamentally extractive character of parts of the Welsh economy, with a broad recognition that it represents both bad economics, and bad politics. Of course, it isn’t enough to simply recognise the issue – we must do something about it.
Recently, I visited Clocaenog Forest, a Welsh-Government owned woodland estate which straddles the border of Denbighshire and Conwy.
The forest is set to be home to a new, publicly-owned wind farm that will generate up to 132 megawatts (MW) of home-grown renewable energy – enough to power 117,500 Welsh homes every year.
Control
The project is one of the first major developments announced by Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, the wholly Welsh Government-owned renewable energy company established in 2024.
Alongside similar projects in Carmarthenshire and Rhonnda Cynon Taf, it represents a milestone in our efforts to reclaim control over Wales’ energy future.
The benefits of the model are clear. Instead of profits being spirited away to overseas shareholders, they will be reinvested into our communities – helping to fund public services, create good quality jobs, and lower household bills.
These projects also provide an opportunity for community wealth building through the use of local supply chains, supporting apprenticeships, and strengthening rural economies that are too often overlooked. It is a chance not just to decarbonise, but to democratise our energy system.
Folly
The war in Ukraine, which sent global gas prices soaring, exposed the folly of relying on volatile international fossil fuel markets to meet our basic needs. Energy sovereignty is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
By investing in renewable power owned and operated in the public interest, Wales can insulate itself from global shocks whilst accelerating the fight against climate change.
For too long, the story of Welsh resources has been a tale of plunder and loss. But with our unique geographic profile and abundant natural resources – wind, water, tide, and sun – we can and should be using those assets to help build a fairer economy, one that works for the Welsh people, rather than at their expense.
The creation of publicly-owned wind farms should be the first step on an exciting journey towards energy sovereignty, economic justice, and a greener future.
Public and community ownership should be seen as a cornerstone of a fairer Welsh economy – one where wealth is retained, recycled, and reinvested in all of our communities, rather than extracted from them.
The lesson of history is clear: if we do not take control of our own resources, others will do it for us, and the people of Wales will pay the price.
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It is undeniable that a number of Wales’ resources have been exploited essentially by England for centuries, in particular coal, slate, water and electricity. This is classic colonialist behaviour so stating that Wales is a colony of England is pretty near the mark, effectively a captive nation. As England has an unassailable majority of MPs (84%), while Wales remains in the UK this exploitation is almost certain to endure in perpetuity. There is one, and only one, way out of this disagreeable predicament – independence for Wales and the sooner the better.
Don’t tell Plaid.
Plaid will start advocating for an independent Wales if it wins a second election. The appetite for an independent Wales at the moment is still unpopular and it would cost Plaid votes and possibly the election. It must first demonstrate that it can lead.
Learn from the mistakes of the over eager SNP.
Well, considering that deform are so far capturing all the headlines and hogging all the limelight, Welsh independence is unlikely. And fracking is more lively with the profits going to the deform billionaire owners.
Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru and all the Wind Turbine huggers are deluded if they think little Wales can halt global climate change. It’s fantasy.
See Grid for India below – how can little Wales offset all this carbon?
https://iced.niti.gov.in/energy
Regardless of your ‘opinion’ on climate change, energy security is a very important issue for the UK. The reason UK electricity prices have risen 5-6 times since 2005 is reliance on foreign energy. Wind is the only way out of these escalating prices rises. We send over 100 billion pounds per year outside the UK to buy O&G. Better to keep that wealth here!
I’m sure you’ll be first in line to go down a mine when they re-open. You obviously haven’t read the article, which was not about “halting global climate change” but about taking control of our resources for our financial and environmental benefit.
“How can little Wales offset all this carbon”… it can’t of course, and no-one suggests it can. Your reductio ad absurdam argument merely makes you look foolish, especially when you obviously think “wind turbine huggers” is barbed wit. .
In an era of renewable energy, you’d think Wales would be well-positioned – with our huge wealth of natural resources – to ensure energy security for all, eliminate fuel poverty, and offer leadership for other nations. But, just like our huge wealth in fossil fuel resources, we seem to be extending a history of extraction and exploitation. It’s deeply sad and doesn’t have to be this way. It is good to see arguments for an alternative model, but action is what’s needed to tackle the parallel emergencies of the climate crisis, rampant inequality, and political disillusionment. Get a move on,… Read more »
There is enough wealth in Cymru for the people of Cymru to be very prosperous in a fairer and more equal country. However, it will only be through independence that that it will be fully accomplished. The first step is for Plaid Cymru to form next May’s new Senedd government. From there the case for a new independent Cymru can be put more forcefully to the people of our country, it’s benefits, it’s vision.