A new Welsh poll conducted by Censuswide and commissioned by RenewableUK Cymru, shows that less than 1 in 3 (32%) respondents believe it is likely that the Welsh Government will meet its target to host enough renewable generation to supply 100% of the electricity used in Wales by 2035.

The results should provide a stark warning during the Labour leadership race between Jeremy Miles and Vaughan Gething to become the next First Minister of Wales.

Women were the least hopeful, with just under 3 in 10 (29%) female respondents thinking the target was likely to be met, compared to almost 2 in 5 (38%) of men. 

The results also varied by region. Those in the Southeast of Wales reported the highest levels of pessimism, with 7 out of 10 people saying they believed the target was unlikely to be met, followed by 6 out of 10 people in Mid Wales.

 A recent report from RenewableUK Cymru, ‘The Critical Role of Welsh Wind Power’ highlights the enormous scale of new renewable energy build out required from both onshore and offshore wind. Wales needs to quadruple its wind power capacity in the next decade to shift away from fossil fuels and towards electrifying our power, industry, heating and transport systems.

While offshore wind is set to ramp up with the addition of 4.5GW of floating wind in the Celtic Sea during the 2030s, onshore wind remains one of the cheapest and quickest to develop at scale - and will be crucial for Wales’ decarbonisation efforts, especially in the near-term. Yet progress is being hampered by a slow planning system and a lack of grid capacity. 

Demonstrating strong public support, the majority of respondents (65%) said they support onshore wind and wanted the Welsh Government to speed up the planning process (63%). Those in the Southeast were the most in favour of swifter action (over 7 out of 10; 72%).

RenewableUK Cymru’s Director, Jess Hooper said:
“We are calling on the new First Minister of Wales to put renewables front and centre at the heart of the Welsh economic agenda from day one. This is the first time we have undertaken an exclusive Welsh poll, and it demonstrates very clearly that people in Wales want to transition away from fossil fuels faster and recognise the critical role wind power plays in tackling the climate emergency and meeting our energy needs.

Unfortunately, to date we haven't seen sufficient recognition of the pivotal role renewable energy plays in growing Wales’ wider economy and decarbonising our heavy industry through the delivery of projects. The pipeline of projects coming from onshore and offshore wind is undoubtedly the biggest driver in the fortunes and opportunities for this country for decades to come.

The Welsh Government has a critical role to play in planning and consenting as well as associated infrastructure, such as ports. We urgently need a champion for this sector at the heart of government.

The climate and nature emergencies are not mutually exclusive. Tackling both requires difficult decisions and true leadership. We cannot deliver the benefits associated with our industry – millions of pounds for nature recovery and community benefits – without delivering the projects at the scale and pace required to get to net zero.” 

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,004 Welsh general consumers. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: RenewableUK