The National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) has outlined their issues they look to focus on in the coming year. This includes topics such as energy, transport and digital communications.
A call for evidence has been circulated to any interested parties for them to submit both their views and evidence on these various issues, and it has been published in the NICW's annual Report. The non-statutory group was established in 2018 to make recommendations to the Welsh Ministers on the country's infrastructure needs in a range of the next 5-30 years.
The NICW have spent their first year working to help understand how changes in both the economy, the environment and in technology would subsequently demand new forms of infrastructure. Currently, the infrastructure plan is in its early stages, but several themes have already been identified as ones that will run throughout the NICW's work, such as:
So far, it has found that both 4 and 5G mobile broadband may be the lowest-cost technology in order to provide superfast connections to some obscure Welsh households. In this result then, a greater proportion of public funds should be allocated to the mobile sectors, rather than to fixed broadband. Currently, views are being sought on how to rapidly improve the relationship between the energy grid in Wales and the future growth of renewable energy. This includes innovations in energy storage, electrical engineering and the planning system itself.
Evidence is also being solicited on the infrastructure barriers that exist for the transition to zero-emission road transport, and how they can be overcome, specifically in rural areas. The NICW has said that a plan for the country's infrastructure would be properly laid out by November 2021. This should allow the Welsh Government to then develop an affordable strategy in order to deliver what is needed. John Lloyd Jones OBE, the Interim Chair of the NICW, has explained that the annual report sets out early thinking, and serves to identify priorities for further investigation.
"Commissioners have been eager to engage a wide variety of users and providers of infrastructure to understand their aspirations and concerns for the future. Wales is a diverse country with differing needs. During the year we have visited North, Mid and South Wales to hear about the opportunities and challenges in different parts of the country. We are grateful to the many people who have helped us".
Jones explained that the Commission "will not rush to make recommendations to Welsh Ministers until we have found compelling evidence for infrastructure solution".
The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said "developing infrastructure that contributes to growing our economy in a sustainable and responsible way is vital. Having declared a climate emergency earlier this year, we need to ensure our new infrastructure is fit for the long term - so that means considering low-carbon options. So I am pleased the commission has set decarbonisation connectivity and resilience as themes that will permeate its work".
The call for evidence is open until 27 March 2020.
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