Wales’ renewable energy industry has called on the next Welsh Government to adopt a coordinated clean power strategy, warning that failure to act could see billions in investment and thousands of skilled jobs flow to other parts of the UK.
RenewableUK Cymru said its new Cymru Clean Power: Call for Government 2026 report sets out how Wales could unlock a £10 billion economic opportunity, create 8,000 secure jobs and deliver more affordable domestic energy through closer collaboration between government and industry.
The group proposed establishing a formal Cymru Clean Power Partnership to accelerate delivery of large-scale wind, solar and tidal projects.
According to the analysis, scaling up renewable deployment could generate average salaries of about £49,000, provide up to £183 million in community benefit funding over the next decade and reduce exposure to imported gas price volatility.
Electricity demand in Wales is projected to double or potentially triple by 2050 as AI growth zones, electrified heavy industry, electric vehicles and heat pumps increase pressure on the system, the organisation said.
While Wales has some of Europe’s strongest wind and tidal resources, RenewableUK Cymru warned that grid constraints could stall projects and divert investment elsewhere unless network upgrades are accelerated.
The group said affordability must remain central to grid expansion, citing research that undergrounding power lines can cost up to five times more than overhead alternatives.
“As parties set out their priorities for Wales, energy is our defining economic choice. Clean energy is one of the UK’s fastest-growing industries. Wales has the natural resources, the projects in the pipeline, and investors ready to go,” said Jessica Hooper, director of RenewableUK Cymru.
“But without a grid fit for the future, that opportunity will not be realised.
“A Cymru Clean Power Partnership would turn potential into delivery – securing affordable, home-grown energy, billions in investment, thousands of well-paid jobs and millions in funding for communities across Wales.”
The proposal calls for a two-way partnership setting out government commitments on clear targets, faster planning, cost-effective grid modernisation and stable policy, alongside industry pledges on skills, local supply chains, community benefits and measurable economic value.
RenewableUK Cymru urged all parties contesting the next election to commit to the partnership to help secure jobs, anchor investment and position Wales at the centre of the UK’s clean energy economy.
