WELSH climate campaigners demanded that the Senedd introduce compulsory community ownership of renewable energy projects today.

Climate Cymru warned Wales cannot “simply host energy infrastructure while the profits flow elsewhere.” in a submission to its parliament’s economy, energy and infrastructure committee consultation.

The non-partisan coalition of more than 400 organisations also called for standardised community benefit payments that would contribute to a new Welsh Wealth Fund.

Its demands include stronger oversight of publicly owned onshore wind developer Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru and the government’s energy programme Ynni Cymru.

Head of Renewables at Climate Cymru Joseph Kidd said: “Wales has a huge opportunity to build an energy system that works for everyone, putting communities at the heart of the transition, cutting household bills and keeping more of the economic value generated by our renewable resources within Wales.

“This is an opportunity to think beyond traditional parliamentary silos and bring together communities, policymakers and industry to shape Wales’ energy future.

“We urge the committee to work across portfolios, visit communities already leading the way and convene a national People’s Energy Briefing, to bring local experience, ideas and solutions directly into the heart of policymaking.”

It comes after the Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock told the Commons on Wednesday that PM Andy Burnham’s devolution push will stretch “across all corners of Wales” after Plaid launched a fresh push for police devolution.

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts had asked him why some English regional mayors appeared to have a greater say on policing in their areas than members of the Senedd.