Wales at a crossroads: Communities, youth and industry unite behind onshore wind investment
Image credit: WCS Agency
A powerful conversation about the future of Wales’ renewable energy sector took place at a joint event hosted today by Cardiff Business Club and ourselves at Bute Energy, bringing together young people, community leaders and Welsh industry to discuss the real impact of new onshore wind investment across the country.
Chaired by former Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe, the session highlighted how our £3bn investment programme is already creating opportunities for Welsh communities – through green jobs, skills development, and long-term social value.
“Every time we approve a new energy park, we also approve new jobs, new apprenticeships and new opportunities for the people of Wales.”
Sophie Howe
A new generation driving Wales’ renewable future.
Cardiff-born Jess Thomas, a recent graduate and member of our Bute Energy Youth Advisory Board, shared how transparency and visibility are helping younger people shape Wales’ transition:
“Being part of the youth forum means younger people can get involved in the planning process. Bute take a bottom-up approach – asking the right questions and delivering against the needs of younger people.”
Jess highlighted the appetite among young people for meaningful climate action and green career pathways in Wales.
Communities leading the conversation.
Community partnership was a central theme of the event, with Dave Brunton from the Senghenydd Youth Drop-In Centre emphasising the importance of long-term, honest engagement as new renewable projects come forward.
“It’s so easy to tick a box and say that you have worked with the community and move on, but the community doesn’t move on. They are here to stay, so having solutions that can provide sustainable benefits to the community are really helpful. Don’t tell them what you can give them, ask them what they want.”
His message reflected growing support for community-led approaches to renewable development across Wales.
Bringing more voices into the process.
Will Morgan, Director of Cardiff based communications agency Thirty 4/7, stressed the importance of widening participation in planning consultations:
“If we can get people – especially young people – to take part in the process, that’s a really positive result.”
He noted that most people are open-minded about renewable energy, and that positive voices can shift public understanding and political confidence.
A shared opportunity for Wales.
Across the discussion, one message was clear: Onshore wind in Wales is about more than generating green energy – it’s about creating a legacy. Long-term value, meaningful jobs and new futures for communities across the country.
As Wales stands at a crossroads, today’s event showed the power of collaboration, honest dialogue and community-led solutions in shaping a fair and ambitious renewable energy future.
The ‘added value’ of our projects in Wales.
Our energy parks represent a £3billion investment and our aim is to keep as much of that money in Wales as possible for the benefit of communities, people, and the local economy.
From boosting the local supply chain to supporting schools deliver climate education – we are proud that our Community Investment strategy is person-centred and ambitious.
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