UK government refuses to devolve energy powers to Wales

Welsh First Minister contradicted by UK Energy Minister over request to devolve energy powers to Wales.

Welsh First Minister contradicted by UK Energy Minister over request to devolve energy powers to Wales.

Decisions on major energy infrastructure projects in Wales will continue to be taken in London, admitted the Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, who said the news was a "slap in the face" for Wales.

The controversy followed a large campaign in Powys, mid Wales, against plans for new wind farm developments.

The Welsh government is keen to have the powers to decide of future wind farm plans in Wales.

In June, First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones announced that the UK government was considering his request to have the power to decide major energy projects devolved.

However, the Welsh First Minister's statement was contradicted by the UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry, who ruled out any further devolution of powers to the Welsh government.

Commenting on the refusal to devolve energy powers to Wales, a spokesman for the Welsh government said "The UK government has now made it clear that they will in future take decisions over wind farms in Wales and consequently this is nothing to do with the Welsh government. It's a ridiculous state of affairs that the people of Wales cannot decide on such matters. Why are the UK government so afraid of Welsh people having control over their own energy resources, like they do in Scotland?"