The IWA's Re-energising Wales project has brought together representatives from industry, regional stakeholders and academia that have an interest in the future development and transformation of the energy system in Wales. The overall objective of the project is to provide practical plan by which Wales could achieve its ambition to maximise its use of renewable energy resources by 2035, resulting in an 80% reduction in energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
As part of the Re-energising Wales project, Regen has been asked to conduct an analysis of the future energy demands and potential sources of energy generation and, working with the Re-energising Wales steering group, to create a low carbon energy system vision for the Swansea Bay City Region (SBCR) in the time period to 2035.
The energy simulation model shows that the Swansea Bay City Region has the potential to meet the equivalent of 100% of its electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2035. With ambitious, urgent action, it shows the region can also make significant progress on decarbonising the supply of the region’s energy for heat and for transport, and so greatly reducing the environmental impact.
Offshore wind and marine energy in particular provide huge opportunities to increase renewable electricity production in the region.
"Alongside investment in renewable energy sources, energy efficiency in homes and businesses can make a significant contribution to transform the supply of energy in the city region. Regen’s modelling shows the scale of the opportunity as well as the challenge. For example, to meet the 2035 energy efficiency goal, 200,000 homes (60% of domestic properties in the region) would need to adopt efficiency measures. This could save each home between £350 and £420 on their annual energy bills”.
Johnny Gowdy, director, Regen
"This is an ambitious but achievable model showing how the Swansea Bay City Region can maximise its renewable energy supply by 2035, and make significant progress towards the goal of producing 100% of its energy from renewables. Swansea Bay City Region has already shown ambition and leadership on energy. Given this existing strategic commitment, the region is well-placed to act as a pathfinder for Wales and demonstrate the practical steps needed to maximise the and potential of renewable energy.
Shea Buckland-Jones, Re-energising Wales project coordinator
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