WELSH nationalists will today pledge that communities in Wales will benefit from profits from energy projects, including renewable schemes. 

Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth will be setting out Plaid Cymru’s vision for the future of the energy landscape in Wales in a speech in Bethesda, north Wales.

“Plaid Cymru supports renewable energy unequivocally, just as we believe that the wellbeing of communities has to be at the heart of the Welsh government’s energy strategy.

“Unlike the climate change deniers in Reform, we know that the transition to Net Zero and to greater energy self-sufficiency in an era of increased global insecurity is not optional,” Mr ap Iorwerth will say. 

“Our super-abundance of wind, water and waves means that Wales has the potential to be a green energy powerhouse.

“I am clear that Welsh communities can and must benefit fully from Welsh renewables, and that includes a fair share of the profits.”

Mr ap Iorwerth will also announce the party’s intention to establish a national energy body for Wales, responsible for developing large-scale projects.

“We propose a single national energy body for Wales responsible for developing large-scale projects, embedding meaningful community ownership, and supporting smaller-scale community energy initiatives,” the Plaid leader will promise.

The Welsh nationalist party will also require a minimum community-ownership stake of between 15 and 25 per cent for all energy projects over 10 megawatts.

Ahead of the May 7 Senedd election, Plaid will also pledge to increase the number of communities that have the capacity and ability to buy into projects.