Written question WQ84274

I recognise the concerns of families and businesses across Wales caused by rising fuel and energy prices. Supply chain bottle-necks, increased fuel costs and labour shortages are exerting upward pressure on business costs and in turn, impacting consumer prices.

Welsh businesses need cost-competitive energy markets to compete fairly and the current difficulties are further evidence of the need to fundamentally re-think how energy markets and the regulator operate.

We have called for UK Government action to stem the energy cost increases affecting business and communities across Wales. We want them to affect real and positive change, including re-evaluating the way energy is taxed and how network charging is configured across Britain, now and in the future.

In the longer term, we can reduce the impact of international market fluctuations and achieve better energy efficiency, by investing in renewable energy generation technologies here in Wales. Ending reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy, as outlined in our second Low Carbon Delivery Plan, will significantly reduce our energy costs.