Julie James, Minister for Climate Change
I am delighted to announce the publication of the latest editions of the Energy Generation in Wales and Energy Use in Wales Reports. These reports provide a clear and transparent picture of Wales’ relationship with energy and are a consistent measure against the tangible progress to meeting our Welsh Government energy and climate change targets.
For the first time in over 200 years Wales did not use coal in its energy generation mix. As we seek to move to a renewable energy system in Wales, it is encouraging that 56% of our electricity demand comes from renewable sources up from 51% in 2019 and compares to our target of 70% by 2030. The reports highlight the efficiencies we have already achieved, particularly in industry in reducing energy consumption which is essential across all society in achieving Net Zero. However, there are still huge gains to be made, and we all have a part to play in reducing our energy use and transitioning to renewable energy.
I am encouraged by the findings in both these reports, but more needs to be done to decarbonise our energy system and achieve our Net Zero goals. We must rapidly accelerate our transition away from all fossil fuels and build a greener, fairer society. The on-going work implementing the recommendations from the renewable energy deep dive will support our ambition to scale up renewable energy generation in Wales in a way that maximising economic and social benefits for the people of Wales.
We committed to updating our renewable targets in Net Zero Wales and these reports are an important part of the evidence bases to inform those targets. I will update the Senedd on our work on those targets in due course.