About the Renewable Energy Developer for Wales

We have evaluated the potential for renewables on public land. The Welsh Government Woodland Estate has strong potential for new wind farms. This is one of several aims, including improving biodiversity and planting more trees. 

In October 2022, the Minister announced that we will set up the developer by April 2024. The developer will be wholly owned by the Welsh Government. It will develop large scale wind projects that meet Wales’s power needs. The income will come back to Welsh Government to help us deliver in Wales.  We have established a small programme team to set up the public energy developer. 

Wind farms built by commercial developers on the woodland estate provide community funds.  These have made a big difference during Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. We are currently working out the sites of new wind projects on public land. We will work with communities and councils near projects before we publish locations. We will work with them to agree how some of the income will fund local priorities.  

A Board is steering how we deliver this project. It will represent a range of perspectives as we set the company up. The Board will challenge us to make sure the developer acts in the interest of the people of Wales.

We will publish more detailed information as we work towards the launch of the company in April 2024.