(Title Image: © Copyright Rhys Williams and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence BY-SA-2.0)
This week’s short debate was led by Rhun ap Iorwerth MS (Plaid, Ynys Môn) on the opportunities and challenges facing the Anglesey economy.
Energy, science and food opportunities
Although the Anglesey economy is often spoken of in negative terms, such as out-migration of young people and recent news regarding the Wylfa Newydd project’s cancellation, there were opportunities too.
The opportunities Rhun ap Iorwerth cited were energy, science and food production. In terms of energy, the island is important to satisfy the growing appetite for offshore wind, while the M-sparc science park was filled relatively quickly and he looked forward to future phases.
In terms of the challenges, there was – as you might expect – Brexit and its potential impact on Holyhead port and agriculture.
“They talk about developments in Kent on the news all the time, but there’s hardly any talk about developing resources in Holyhead, and there are only weeks to go until departure. It tells you everything about the attitude of the UK Government towards the port of Holyhead. These things do fill me and the people of Anglesey with dread, and we need a solution.”
– Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
Ynys Môn “can lead the way”
Economy & Transport Minister, Ken Skates (Lab, Clwyd West), said there was no escaping the serious situation the global economy finds itself in, with 250 companies on Anglesey provided with £4.5million worth of Welsh Government pandemic support.
Despite the negative news, the Minister agreed that Anglesey has great potential in terms of energy regardless of the Hitachi announcement:
“Ynys Môn is leading the way; it’s leading the way in terms of innovation, ensuring flexibility and smart approaches to electricity networks. The island is also becoming a hub for tidal stream development, but further development will be dependent on revenue support from the UK Government. I can assure Members that we’ll be providing further evidence for the need for UK Government revenue support for marine technologies in the current call for evidence.”
– Economy & Transport Minister, Ken Skates
Talks are ongoing regarding the future of the Wylfa Newydd site and the Minister also pointed to potential projects arising from the North Wales Growth Deal, which could start to receive funding from 2021 subject to a final agreement.
