2026: The year we turn vision into reality.

As we step into 2026, I’m very clear about what this year represents for Wales, for our energy system – and for Bute Energy. Quite simply, this is the year we deliver on our promises. 

For several years, we’ve talked about how our energy parks will help decarbonise the UK’s energy supply. We’ve secured planning permissions, developed our projects, and set out how we’re going to build a cleaner, greener and more secure energy system for Wales. 

This year, we move from one energy park ready for construction to several more moving towards a consenting decision. We move from planning to building. And we move from vision to reality. 

It’s time for us to show – genuinely and authentically – that when Bute says we’ll deliver, we do exactly that. 

What’s at stake

Stakes are high in 2026 – not because confidence is slipping, but because we have a real opportunity to strengthen it.  

Communities, governments and investors have seen developers come and go. Some delivered fantastic benefits for Wales, but unfortunately some did not – so healthy scrutiny is natural and welcomed by us.  Scrutiny and engagement in our work is also a sign that people care deeply about where they live. The communities that host our projects, the Senedd, industry and the people living and working around our energy parks all play a part in shaping Bute’s licence to develop our projects, and we encourage and welcome that. 

If Bute Energy’s portfolio moves forward to operation, Wales will gain significantly both economically and socially. Wales did not receive anything in Contract for Difference allocation rounds between 2015 and 2023, and there has been no meaningful grid reform in decades.  This brings both a heightened sense of responsibility and opportunity for Wales to once again be at the forefront of an energy revolution, but this time with a legacy that has been decided, designed and delivered by its government and people. 

In light of this, my ambition for Bute Energy is simple: to push forward with urgency while never compromising on quality, so we create a legacy that communities and Wales can be proud of. 

Onshore and offshore: Not competitors, but teammates

I don’t see onshore wind competing with offshore. Or with solar, or with SMRs. If you look at the UK’s power mix, especially in winter, we need everything. 

Demand for energy is rising. The grid needs diverse, reliable sources of clean power. In 10–15 years, the UK’s supply will rely on a blend of technologies, and we will be an essential part of that mix. 

Onshore wind has one huge advantage: speed. Nuclear takes 10–15 years to build. Offshore is faster but still lengthy. And with Wales lagging behind the rest of the UK on the proportion of our energy which comes from renewable sources, we need to move at pace.   Our energy parks – like Twyn Hywel Energy Park – can be delivering power within this decade.  

The ROI for Wales

Construction brings early and visible benefits: It will support new jobs and unlock grant funding for communities. But what really excites me is the long‑term legacy. 

We’ll help communities build and become owners of their own energy projects. We’ll support local organisations to reduce bills. We’ll contribute to building Wales’s future green workforce through our Future Skills Strategy, and we’ll do it in a way that’s led by communities themselves – their priorities, not ours. 

Perception of onshore wind can sometimes don’t often align with reality. You can’t always communicate the scale or quality of a development through a PowerPoint slide or a website. 

But when people see our first energy park being built – tangible, visible progress – I think perceptions will shift. Everything we’ve promised will be there in real life: the engineering, the environmental and nature investment, the community benefits, the jobs. 

That evidence will help build understanding and trust. And trust is the foundation of everything we do. 

Looking ahead

There’s nothing hesitant about Bute Energy right now. We’re ambitious, moving fast, and pushing hard because we know what’s possible. Over the next few years, I’m confident we’ll see five or six energy parks come to life. We’ll deliver over two gigawatts of clean power and we’ll build a rhythm of quality, responsible delivery that Wales can rely on.   

“My message is simple:  Work with us. Join us. Believe in us.”

Judge us on performance – and if you like what you see, lend us your support. If Wales wants the jobs, the economic benefit, the affordable clean energy, and the carbon reduction we’re promising, we need people behind us. We’re a company that does what we say – and more.