Wales has a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to take advantage of the green transition and the sustainable jobs and economic boost that can be created out of it.
Stuart George, managing director of Bute Energy, told Cardiff Business Club that the firm’s development pipeline of onshore renewable energy projects – the largest in Wales – will need about 2,000 new jobs to be created to deliver them.
That would lead to inward investment of more than £3 billion into the local economy, he said.
Stuart was taking part in a fireside chat hosted by Sophie Howe, sustainability futures and wellbeing advisor, and Wales’ former Future Generations Commissioner.
The sell-out audience at Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Cardiff, heard from Stuart around current issues in the planning system and grid infrastructure in Wales, both of which he said delayed onshore wind projects.
But he said he was hopeful that 2025 would see progress towards a Sector Deal for the renewables industry in Wales, similar to one already in place in Scotland.
Business News Wales spoke to Stuart George, Sophie Howe and Catryn Newton, Bute Energy’s community investment and communications director, about the outlook for 2025 and the opportunities for the wider business community around renewable energy:
The next event in the club’s calendar will be a lunch event with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL, due to be held on between noon and 3pm on January 29 2025 at Glamorgan County Cricket Club, Cardiff.
Tanni, who is Cardiff Business Club President, has been an independent Crossbench peer in the House of Lords since 2010. This appointment followed her commitment to sport as both a wheelchair racer and an advocate for disability rights. Throughout her time as an athlete, Tanni participated in five Paralympic games, earning a total of 16 medals.
She is also the Chair of Sport Wales, and the Chair of Trustees for the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE). She also sits on the Board of the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR).
Tickets are available at https://cardiffbusinessclub.org/event/baroness-tanni-grey-thompson-dbe-dl/
