The Welsh Assembly Government has given £10k of taxpayers money to fund a report which outlines the economic benefits to Wales from future onshore wind development.
The information was uncovered by Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, after tabling written questions to the Welsh Government, following Government Ministers publically launching the report at the end of last month.
The money for the 100 page report produced by Regeneris and Cardiff Business School came from the department of Economy, Science and Transport and was part of a wider funding package made up of contributions from a number of interested groups including Renewables UK and developers with current or future projects in Wales.
The report states that there is potential for a ‘significant and steady stream’ of economic benefits for Wales from onshore wind development and operation. However it also warns that should development proceed at a slow rate, there would be ‘less investment in Wales’ and consequently fewer jobs and less GVA created. The report goes on to highlight a number of barriers to achieving development and recommends a range of options available to maximise potential benefits.
Commenting, Mr George said:
"Welsh Government has long peddled a pro-wind agenda but to throw large amounts of taxpayers’ money to try and secure evidence to defend that position is appalling.
"They are not giving any money to those groups trying to prevent the industrialisation of their communities, allowing them to put their case forward, so where is the equity; where is the fairness?
"I fully understand organisations like Renewables UK and the developers’ themselves funding such a report to justify their positions to the Welsh Government but for Government to be colluding in this way is in my opinion disgraceful and I’m sure vast swathes of Mid Wales will feel the same way."
Richard Bonfield, who is the Fighting Fund Organiser for The Alliance, a campaign group comprising 16 separate organisations battling controversial energy plans for Mid Wales and Shropshire, was indignant but not surprised by the news. He said:
"We know full well what we are up against with Carwyn Jones and his Government; they are not trusted in Mid Wales and this news just proves our position right.
"I am annoyed that there is no level-playing field to allow us to present our case and defend our views.
"While developers are supported by thousands of pounds of public money, we have to resort to raising our funds through small community events and from individual donations.
"However, this won’t deter our efforts in any way; in fact it will make us more resolute to raise the £150,000 we need to defend our position in the upcoming public inquiry."