Renewable energy in Wales
[1] The natural resource base for renewable energy is high by European standards, with the core sources being wind, wave, and tidal.
In 1963, the Ffestiniog Power Station was constructed, providing a large scale generation of hydroelectricity, and in November 1973, the Centre for Alternative Technology was opened in Machynlleth.
[5] Percentage of electricity consumption which from local renewables in 2019 (5 highest): List of active hydropower stations in order of energy output: In 2019, there were 363 hydroelectric projects in Wales, with the capacity of 182MW, annually generating over 347 GWh.
[14] Four areas have been designated for tidal stream energy: north and west of Anglesey; around Ynys Enlli and the Llŷn peninsula; north-west of St Davids Head, Pembrokeshire; and off the coast of South Wales, south-west of Cardiff.
[15] In 2015 the idea was raised the UK government to fund a £1 billion development of a sea wall around Swansea Bay to harness the power of the tide.
Phase SA1 of the project is said to include an electric battery manufacturing plant, battery storage facility, a tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay with a floating solar farm, data storage centre, a green hydrogen production facility, an oceanic and climate change research centre, and hundreds of waterfront homes.
The proposed North Wales Tidal Lagoon would involve a sea wall over 19 miles (31 km) long from Llandudno to Prestatyn.
[13] Denbighshire County Council unanimously voted to back the scheme in February 2023, claiming it would support 5000 construction jobs.
[19] The Morlais tidal stream project is set to cover 35km2 of the Irish Sea on the west coast of Anglesey (Ynys Môn).
Some of the main terrestrial wind energy farms include: In 2019, the capacity was 1.25 GW, according to the Welsh Government, which was an increase of 12% from the previous year.
[citation needed] Solar PV (for electricity) and thermal panels (for hot water) are used throughout the country, for both domestic and non-domestic use.
[citation needed] Welsh ministers have approved a 32MW solar farm project near Abergavenny and construction is expected to start in 2024.
