Plans to speed up delivery of windfarms, solar parks and tidal power schemes have been set out as part of a new deal between the renewable energy industry and the Welsh government.
It follows warnings from the sector that Wales was “behind the rest of the UK” in getting new projects built.
Ministers have said the impact of the current conflict in the Middle East on oil and gas prices makes achieving “energy independence” more important.
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales said large turbines and fields of solar panels must not be forced on communities, urging the government to focus on schemes out at sea.
Wales generated enough renewable power to meet 54% of the country’s electricity use in 2024, according to latest figures, with ministers wanting to reach 100% by 2035.
The Labour run-government in Cardiff Bay called its new sector deal a “strategic partnership” with the industry “accelerating renewable deployment across onshore and offshore, wind, solar, marine and hydro”.
There are 78 commitments – from streamlining the planning process to training up workers able to build and operate new schemes.
It said that developers and community organisations had been involved in the work, ensuring that local communities would “reap the benefits” from projects in their areas.
