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Wales’ Renewable Future: Collaboration, confidence and a ‘can-build attitude’

Wales stands on the brink of a transformation powered by renewable energy, skills, and strong partnership between business and government. That was the message at last night’s CBI Wales Annual Dinner (14 November 2025), where leaders from across the Welsh economy gathered to celebrate progress and look ahead to the opportunities of the next decade.

This year’s dinner, marking the CBI’s 60th anniversary and sponsored by ourselves at Bute Energy, centred on one clear theme: collaboration unlocks growth. From renewable energy to advanced manufacturing, speakers emphasised that Wales’ economic potential will be realised only when business and government work together with ambition and urgency.

Rupert Soames, President of the CBI, captured this sentiment clearly:

“Across Wales there are at this moment plans and projects that could, in the next ten years, add more than £65 billion to its economy, and 60,000 more good, secure jobs… But to realise that potential requires joined-up policy, and business as well as government – at both ends of the M4 – working together.”

Addressing the room, Martin Chown, our Interim Managing Director at Bute Energy, highlighted the scale of opportunity specifically within renewable energy — and the decisive action now needed to seize it.

“For Wales to fully realise its potential as a global leader in green energy, we need certainty and alignment from both industry and policy… Success will be judged by the tangible economic outcomes we achieve together and the legacy we create for Wales.”

Martin set out a vision for Wales powered by home-grown clean energy by 2035 — a future that could deliver economic resilience, high-quality jobs, and a thriving Welsh supply chain.

Building economic impact at scale

We’re  delivering the largest single investment in onshore wind in Wales, with a £3 billion commitment expected to generate £3.1 billion in GVA for the Welsh economy over the lifetime of its projects.

By 2030, the company’s energy parks are expected to generate over 2.2 GW of clean power, enough to support around 2.25 million homes and meet 25% of Wales’ electricity demand by 2035. This scale is central to achieving an energy-secure Wales — one that attracts investment and gives businesses the confidence to grow.

Jobs, skills and long-term prosperity

Our family of energy parks are projected to create more than 2,000 jobs, including 490 long-term roles during the operations and maintenance phase. These are high-quality, diverse jobs — not just engineers and technicians, but planners, project managers, finance specialists and supply-chain partners across Wales.

Our Future Skills Strategy is actively supporting schools, colleges and training providers to build clear pathways into the green energy sector, helping retain Welsh talent and ensure young people can build their careers close to home.

We’re working with partners to develop a ‘Wales-First Supply Chain Standard’, supporting re-shoring of manufacturing, growing turbine and grid engineering capacity, and helping reverse decades of industrial decline.  By investing in upskilling a green workforce in Wales our aim is to strengthen the capability and capacity of the supply chain here in Wales.

Community investment and long-term value

The company’s industry-leading Community Investment Strategy will provide up to £20 million per year, totalling £800 million across project lifetimes, to support local priorities including transport, cost-of-living support, wellbeing, and future skills.

A further 2% of every contract value is committed to social value activities — such as supporting Big Issue Recruit to fund job coaches and social mobility pathways.

With investment from the Wales Pension Partnership, local pension holders directly benefit from the value created by our operational projects, ensuring wealth generated in Wales stays in Wales.

A ‘Team Wales’ approach

Closing his address, Martin Chown urged government, industry and communities to commit to a ‘can-build attitude’ — unlocking grid infrastructure, accelerating planning clarity and delivering projects at pace.

The message was clear:
Wales has a once-in-a-generation chance to lead the global green energy transition — and the team at Bute Energy intends to help power it.

Our energy parks

Discover more about our plans to decarbonise the energy system by building onshore wind energy parks.

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