As all three parties vie for voter support ahead of the Senedd election on 7th May, energy is an area which continues to lead the public debate. For voters facing increasing energy bills, and as global conflict continues to expose vulnerabilities in the UK’s energy security, the three parties understand their energy policies can help win them, or equally lose them, votes.

Whilst the Welsh Labour manifesto focuses largely on stabilising household finances in a volatile global energy market, it hasn’t proposed major structural changes to energy ownership or governance. On the other hand, Reform UK has committed to rolling back various Net Zero commitments, slowing the drive towards clean energy whilst Plaid’s vision centres around using Wales’ natural resources to make the nation a green energy powerhouse. We’ve summarised their key energy commitments below.

For some organisations in the sector, the stark contrast between the parties when it comes to energy policy, is causing uncertainty, given the impact on market conditions, regulatory expectations and investment timelines. Furthermore, the result is unlikely to deliver a majority for one party, with polls suggesting that the Senedd will be hung.

Further uncertainty has emerged with recent polling showing a surge in support for the Green Party and the prospect of it having a kingmaker role, adding further complexity to an already contested energy policy landscape.

Against this backdrop, progress will depend on parties with competing priorities working together to agree and deliver a coherent energy policy.

Key Energy Commitments:

Labour

• Meet carbon budgets and deliver a net zero public sector by 2030.

• Ensure all new-build homes include renewable energy generation as standard, with solar panels as default.

• Increase energy efficiency upgrades to 100,000 homes.

Reform UK

• Abolish devolved Net Zero targets for 2030 and 2040.

• Ban new onshore wind farms and prevent solar farms on productive arable land.

• End heat pump funding schemes.

Plaid Cymru

• Ensure renewable energy projects offer local communities part of their profits (15-25% for schemes bigger than 10MW).

• Establish a national energy body responsible for large-scale projects.

• Dropped Party’s previous pledge to achieve net zero carbon emissions in Wales by 2035.