Consultation display

A Smarter Energy Future for Wales?

Response to the consultation

Evidence submitted in response to this Consultation

Purpose of the consultation

The National Assembly for Wales’ Environment and Sustainability Committee is undertaking an inquiry into a smarter energy future for Wales.

Purpose of this consultation

The purpose of this consultation is to inform how the Committee believes energy policy in Wales needs to develop in the next Assembly and beyond, in the context of meeting Wales’s commitments to contribute to the prevention of global average temperatures rising more than 2° Celsius.

Terms of reference

Starting from the basis that Wales needs to rapidly reduce its carbon emissions if it is to contribute to the prevention of global average temperatures rising more than 2° Celsius, and the need to enhance energy security in Wales, we will aim to arrive at a view on:

  • how Wales can achieve a smarter energy future, including low carbon energy supply, energy demand management and energy storage, at a sufficient pace to achieve the necessary reductions in emissions;
  • whether the current infrastructure and regulatory framework can deliver these changes at the rate of change that is necessary;
  • the action that needs to be taken by citizens and the public, private and third sectors; and
  • the balance of devolved competence in this area of policy.

Questions

The energy mix

  • How can we decarbonise our energy system at a sufficient pace to achieve the necessary reductions in emissions?
  • What mixture of distributed generation resources best meets Wales' renewable energy needs in respect to the supply of a) electricity, b) gas, and c) heat?

The grid

  • How does the grid distribution network in Wales enable or restrict the development of a new smarter energy system?
  • What changes might be needed in terms of ownership, regulation, operation and investment?

Storage

  • How can energy storage mechanisms be used to overcome barriers to increasing the use of renewable energy?

Ownership

  • To investigate the desirability and feasibility of greater public and community ownership of generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure and the implications of such a change.

Energy efficiency and demand reduction

  • How can the planning system and building regulations be used to improve the energy efficiency of houses (both new build and existing stock)?
  • What would the environmental, social and economic impacts be if Wales set higher energy efficiency standards for new build housing? (e.g. Passivhaus or Energy Plus)

Communities - making the case for change

  • How can communities, businesses and industry contribute to transforming the way that Wales thinks about energy?" Does the answer to this challenge lie in enabling communities to take greater responsibility for meeting their future energy needs?

Disclosure of Information

You can find further details about how we will use your information at http://www.assemblywales.org/help/privacy/help-inquiry-privacy.htm. Please ensure that you have considered these details carefully before submitting information to the Committee.

Further information

If you'd like any further information, please contact the Clerk to the Committee.

Contact details

Should you wish to speak to someone regarding this consultation, please use the below contact details:

Environment and Sustainability Committee - Fourth Assembly
Welsh Parliament
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1SN

Email: Contact@senedd.wales
Telephone: 0300 200 6565