The Welsh Minister for Economy, Energy, and Planning, Rebecca Evans, announced a series of measures to speed up the execution of renewable energy projects. Among these initiatives is the intention to authorize Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to approve projects of up to 50 MW, which will reduce the total decision-making time by at least 12 weeks. 

"Delegating decision-making powers to PEDW for renewable energy projects of up to 50 MW alone will significantly reduce the decision time from start to finish, sometimes by several months, and, along with improvements in other parts of the system, will help ensure that the right projects are considered more thoroughly and faster," Evans stated at the Future Energy Wales conference. 

Another measure included in this planning reform is strengthening the capacity and resilience of planning services by addressing the current shortage of planners at both local and national levels. This improvement aims to ensure that teams have the necessary staff to respond effectively to the growing demand for renewable projects.  

Additionally, an increase in Welsh Government planning resources is planned to streamline the processing of Nationally Significant Development (NSD) applications, allowing these key projects to be evaluated and approved in less time. 

Since her appointment in September, the Minister has approved five decisions on major new renewable energy projects, providing over 280 MW of renewable energy for Wales, equivalent to powering more than 180,000 Welsh homes. 

Regarding the next steps for the renewable sector beyond planning reform, the Minister stated that they are working with the industry to develop a sector agreement for renewable energy. 

"The goal will be for the government, industry, and other stakeholders to articulate a shared vision and actions to support the execution of renewable energy projects. We need actions to remove barriers and improve outcomes in supply chains, skills, employment, and community benefits. If we work together with communities, developers, and stakeholders, we will be able to achieve our renewable energy goals, boost our economy, and support our shared ambition for clean energy by 2030."