We’ve launched a Youth Advisory Board to empower young people to shape Wales’ renewable future, develop skills, and influence real change.
We have officially launched a Youth Advisory Board, a new platform designed to empower young people to play a leading role in Wales’ transition to renewable energy.
The eight members, aged between 18 and 23, met for the first time at Bute Energy’s Cardiff headquarters to establish their mission and objectives. The Board will directly advise Bute Energy on youth engagement, project development, and communications.
By providing opportunities to learn new skills and contribute to real projects, the initiative supports our Future Skills Strategy – a programme designed to build a pipeline of talent for the 25,000 green energy roles Wales is expected to need by 2050.
Amelia Rees, 23, Swansea — Politics, Philosophy & Economics graduate, University of Exeter.
Amy Brown, 23, Swansea — English, Politics & Sustainability graduate, University of Exeter.
Ciri Boddu, 20, Cardiff — Human Geography student, Cardiff University.
Jessica Thomas, 22, Cardiff — Physical Geography graduate, Swansea University.
Megan Jones, 21, Monmouthshire — Geography graduate, Swansea University; starting a master’s in Geography at Cardiff University this month.
Owain Beech, 18, Wrexham — Secured a place at Cardiff University to study Physics in 2026.
Perys Munns, 21, Dursley — Studying Environmental Sciences & the Climate Emergency, Swansea University.
Samanta Mbidi, 22, Dudley — Engineering graduate, Swansea University.
“I studied Geography at Swansea University for three years and during that time I completed the Carbon and Climate Conscious Award where we learned about the climate emergency and its mitigations. It inspired me to take advantage of opportunities that will help me — and the next generation – become more sustainable.”
Megan Jones, Youth Advisory Board member
The Board forms part of Bute Energy’s wider Future Skills StrategyFuture Skills Strategy (launched November 2024), which looks to build a pipeline of talent for the renewable sector. Research conducted by the National Grid estimates Wales will need around 25,000 green energy roles by 2050, requiring a wide range of skills from engineering and project management to community engagement and communications.
“We’ve spoken with hundreds of young people over the past few years and what’s clear is that they want more support, more opportunities and more of a say on what will impact their future in Wales,” says Biba Chuta, Social Mobility Partner and Future Skills Strategy lead.
“They want to make their mark in the world. Our Youth Advisory Board aims to provide these passionate individuals with a positive and proactive start to become successful leaders in an industry which is calling out for their direction and support.”
At its first meeting members took part in workshops to better understand the renewable sector and develop communication skills such as public speaking and letter writing. They also workshopped how they want their role to be captured, the skills they want to gain over their two-year term, and the measurable outcomes they want to deliver.
The Board will reconvene in early 2026 and the Board will decide how best to share updates and outcomes through Bute Energy’s communications channels – with tangible input from the Board feeding into youth engagement, project planning and external messaging.
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