RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS IN WALES

Wales drove an earlier industrial revolution with its endowments of coal and iron ore. It is one of the windiest places in Europe with some of the highest tides in the world. The technology exists or is being developed to exploit these resources to produce energy. It would be a shame if nimbyism or excessive conservatism prevented Wales from fulfilling its potential in the development of renewable energy.

Realistic range of renewables targets in Wales by 2010 is between 2TWh and 4TWh of electrical production. Whatever target is selected for electricity production a corresponding figure for the renewable provision of heat can be estimated from the assumed contribution of renewable sources from biomass.

What constitutes an appropriate renewables target for Wales will depend upon the balance of economic, social and environmental objectives. The strategic plan for the NAfW, includes the aims "Help put Wales on the path to becoming a global showcase for clean energy production". Renewable technologies certainly have the potential to provide new industries, both in manufacturing and rural areas, with corresponding increases in employment and benefits for community regeneration.