On the eve of the 2026 Senedd elections, Wales’ renewable energy sector has sent a clear message to politicians: commit decisively to a clean energy strategy or risk billions in investments, thousands of skilled jobs, and significant community funding. This is highlighted in the latest report from RenewableUK Cymru, the sector’s trade association in Wales, titled Cymru Clean Power: Call for Government 2026.

According to the analysis, the country’s energy future faces a critical choice: continue relying on imported fossil fuels or build a local clean energy system capable of boosting employment, industry, and communities across Wales. The decision is far from minor, in a context where electricity demand could double or even triple by 2050, driven by the electrification of heavy industry, the rollout of electric vehicles, heat pumps, and the growth of data centers and artificial intelligence.

A £10 Billion Economic Opportunity

RenewableUK Cymru’s report emphasizes that accelerating large-scale wind, solar, and tidal projects could unlock a £10 billion economic opportunity for local businesses, while creating up to 8,000 secure, skilled jobs with an average salary of £49,000 per year—almost £10,000 above the Welsh average.

This impact would be complemented by the generation of up to £183 million in community funds over the next decade, aimed at supporting local development, as well as greater protection for households against energy price volatility, thanks to reduced dependence on imported gas.

Wales boasts some of Europe’s best wind and tidal resources, placing the country in a strategic position to lead the deployment of renewable energy in the UK. However, the sector warns that this potential can only be realized if structural bottlenecks are urgently addressed.

Grid Modernization: A Must

Beyond increasing clean generation, RenewableUK Cymru warns that modernizing the electricity grid is essential to ensure the success of the energy transition. Without greater connection capacity, many renewable projects could be blocked, diverting investment to other regions and stalling the development of new electricity-intensive industries.

The report highlights that these upgrades must prioritize affordability and cost-effectiveness for consumers, noting that underground lines can cost up to five times more than overhead lines, directly impacting energy bills. A pragmatic, economically efficient approach to infrastructure expansion is therefore recommended.

A Public-Private Alliance to Accelerate the Transition

In this context, RenewableUK Cymru proposes the creation of a Cymru Clean Power Partnership, a formal alliance between the Welsh Government and industry to coordinate investment, speed up permitting, and ensure a stable regulatory framework.

“Clean energy is one of the fastest-growing industries in the UK. Wales has the natural resources, the projects in development, and the investors ready to act, but without a grid prepared for the future, that opportunity will not become reality,” said Jessica Hooper, director of RenewableUK Cymru, during the report’s presentation.

The organization urges all political parties contesting the 2026 elections to commit to this strategic alliance, aiming to secure investments, consolidate employment, and position Wales at the center of the UK’s clean energy economy, according to the trade association’s statement.