With the UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Wales is leading the charge through innovative Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs).
These plans are not just blueprints for decarbonisation – they are collaborative roadmaps involving local authorities, energy companies, and community stakeholders to ensure a sustainable, low-carbon future. This pan-sector collaboration aims to help ensure that plans across the region are aligned with each other and subsequently improve the delivery of net-zero opportunities.
LAEPs are tailored strategies, designed to guide each of Wales' local authorities toward decarbonisation. They offer a framework for how counties can transition to a net-zero economy in the most cost-effective way, while considering the distinctive characteristics of each area. While some areas are rich in industrial activity, others are primarily rural, meaning that energy needs and potential solutions differ greatly.
In North Wales, Ambition North Wales, is the body responsible for facilitating LAEPs in the region. Six LAEPs have been developed, one for each local authority.
Wales will be the first country in the world to have a LAEP in every single of its counties and therefore form a robust national LAEP. The plans provide a clear vision for achieving net-zero by targeting specific sectors such as energy generation, transportation, and building efficiency, all while considering the regional strengths in renewable energy like wind and marine power.
The decarbonisation journey for each local authority is diverse. In industrial regions like Flintshire, the focus may be on reducing emissions from manufacturing and improving the energy efficiency of industrial sites. Meanwhile, rural areas like Gwynedd and Anglesey might concentrate more on renewable energy generation through wind farms and marine energy, harnessing the region’s natural resources.
For further information on the Welsh Government’s Net Zero ambition, please select the following link: Net Zero Wales | GOV.WALES