Following Kemi Badenoch’s powerful speech last Tuesday regarding the UK’s approach to net-zero, Vale of Clwyd MS, Gareth Davies, has reiterated his call for a pragmatic, balanced energy strategy for Wales—one that prioritises affordability, security, and reliability over ideological commitments to renewables-only policies.
Following an open debate in the Senedd yesterday titled “Can renewables alone meet the energy needs of Wales”?, Gareth outlined his view that Wales must take a smarter approach to energy policy, warning against the dangers of relying too heavily on intermittent sources like wind and solar without sufficient baseload alternatives.
Gareth also drew attention to the safety implications of following Wales’ current energy policy amid the current geo-political climate. Without sufficient hydrocarbon supply, he argued, Wales risks the danger of undercutting our capability to produce military grade steel personnel of Port Talbot whilst the Prime Minister is considering peace-keeping forces in Ukraine. The unreliable nature of renewable energy also raises concerns, Gareth has argued, that Wales must rely on gas originating from Russia for gas-powered power stations to keep the electricity grid stable.
Commenting following the debate in the Senedd, Gareth said:
“As Kemi Badenoch rightly said, we must stop burdening working people with costly climate policies that deliver little in return. The Welsh Government has been cutting off their nose to spite their face in their commitment an ideological renewables-only approach that is hampering our transition to net-zero rather than helping it.
“The cost of net-zero is being placed on hardworking Welsh people who are juggling elevated living costs and rising taxes.
“My constituents deserve better than experimental energy policies that leave them poorer, colder, and less safe.
“If net-zero is to remain a realistic prospect then It’s time to stop chasing illusions and start delivering real solutions which means Wales diversifying its energy system with fossil fuels remaining a part of that transition.”