Is the Welsh government ready to make Wales look greener?

Thomas Lewis

Climate Change Minister Julie James’ latest announcement to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2035 has been generally welcomed. Praised by Green Members of the European Parliament.

Considering that in just 12 years all lighting and electrical activity across Wales will be entirely powered by renewable energy, it gives the impression that Wales is meeting its decarbonization obligations. But that is not the case, as fossil gas contamination remains under current programs.

This new target was outlined to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, set after the Welsh government declared a climate emergency in 2019 in response to the climate actions of groups such as Extinction Rebellion. Part of a set of goals.

While this increased ambition is welcomed by campaigners, further scrutiny is needed to assess its true impact.

cook a book to make wales look green

In making this announcement, it is imperative to understand the nuanced language chosen by the government.

This is the target to meet ‘100% of Welsh’s electricity demand’. We focus on the power we consume, but not the total power we produce.

Wales is a net exporter of electricity and was listed as the fifth highest electricity exporter in the world in 2018, exporting twice as much as it consumes. If this 2:1 ratio is maintained, Wales would require only one-third of its electricity production to be renewable, with the remaining two-thirds labeled as exports primarily to England. can claim to have achieved this goal.

Many might argue that the 100% renewable claim is accurate as to why Wales must count the emissions England indirectly burns. But it’s just an accounting trick that makes Welsh consumption look greener.

During periods of high energy demand, when there is little sun or wind, truly renewable systems use energy storage such as batteries, hydroelectric power or even hydrogen to release previously generated clean electricity. increase. Additionally, households and industries are encouraged to modify the time they consume.

However, in the 2035 plan, fossil gas-fired power plants will be augmented to supply the necessary electricity produced in Wales and consumed in Wales. These are Welsh emissions, and England pays Welsh producers for renewable electricity at other times.

Welsh ambitions not fully achieved

In its Revitalization Report for Wales, the Institute for Welsh Studies recommends that Wales meet its total energy needs with 100% renewable energy and consume 100% renewable energy by 2035. electricity By 2030, five years ahead of the Welsh government’s proposal. The paper builds on his now-obsolete 2050 emissions targets, suggesting that even higher targets are now needed. It’s important to note that there are new gas-fired power plants under construction across Wales, further locking us into the carbon economy.

At COP26 in Edinburgh, Wales proudly signed Costa Rica and Denmark’s Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance, pledging to phase out gas extraction from its territories, but the country is still tied to the UK and Europe. are preparing to continue burning gas supplied by the market.

As Europe pulls back from Russian gas following the invasion of Ukraine, the market has been flooded with new sources from other countries accused of human rights abuses and war crimes, such as Qatar and Azerbaijan. Welsh’s indirect support through continued gas consumption cannot be ignored.

In the government’s 2035 scenario, Wales remains a home for fossil power, benefits from Welsh land and profits, pollutes the local and global environment, and harms the health of Welsh people, especially those in marginalized communities. lose.

describe wales

To keep temperature rise below 1.5°C, as required by the Paris Agreement, we need net zero global warming by 2050, not just in Wales. To give the global South flexibility in its transition, following a just global transition, and to prevent historically largest polluting countries such as the United States and Europe from continuing to deplete their remaining carbon budgets. All past emissions must be accounted for.

While the historically unbalanced power relationship between Wales and England should be acknowledged, the role Wales played in the development and colonization of industries supported by the use of fossil fuels should simply be termed England’s “colonies.” I cannot conclude that it is.

For Wales to meet its responsibilities, the Welsh government will set a date to phase out all fossil fuel production in its territory and by 2030 will cover all its energy needs renewableally and its net You need to become a profitable world leader. – Zero target forward. The question remains, how far can Wales raise its ambitions without further powers and full independence?

Thomas Lewis is an energy policy officer based in Brussels.