Representing the Welsh renewable energy sector, RenewableUK Cymru is making its first appearance in the EV Rally Cymru 2025 to highlight how clean, home-grown power is essential to fuelling the future of electric transport. Abigail Beck shares more details on the team's preparations

Please tell us about the work of Renewable UK Cymru?

RenewableUK Cymru is a trade association and the most powerful voice for the renewable energy industry in Wales. We represent the companies who are developing and building onshore and offshore wind farms in Wales, driving the rapid transition to green electricity, boosting growth, creating jobs and a lasting legacy of benefits for communities across Wales. Clean, home-grown power is central to Wales’ economic and environmental future, and we help to champion our industry by putting renewables at the heart of the Welsh economic agenda.

What has made you decide to get involved in the EV Rally Cymru?

Taking part in the EV Rally is a fantastic way to showcase how the roll-out of renewable energy across Wales underpins the growth of other industries, like the electrification of transport. As more people switch to electric vehicles - driven by falling costs and improving performance - the demand for clean, reliable power will soar. Just as EVs need a modern, well-connected charging network to thrive - which we’ll be exploring along the route - the success of renewables depends on upgrading Wales’ grid infrastructure. This backbone ensures that clean electricity can be delivered safely and reliably from where it’s generated to where it’s needed. There’s a big change underway to modernise the current system and make it fit for the future, so we can keep our homes warm in the winter, power our businesses, vehicles and data centres alike, and we look forward to highlighting this during the rally.

Please tell us about your team - who is driving and in what vehicles?

We’re delighted Renault very kindly offered to sponsor us for this rally. We have four people taking part. Our Director, Jessica Hooper will be driving in a Renault Master MM35 with Alex Atkinson, our External Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator. I’ll be in a R4 Iconic 150HP, alongside a videographer, Daryl Corner, who’s filming a piece about the rally for us.

Do you anticipate any challenges on the rally, and if so, do you have a particular strategy to get you through them?

My colleague Jessica is experienced at driving EVs, but I’ve never driven one before so the whole experience will be a first. I think my strategy is, smile for the camera and ask people for help! I love an adventure and really looking forward to whatever mishaps and triumphs we face!

The rally will be checking-in at some clean energy and innovation projects along the way – how important is renewable energy in the EV narrative?

Renewable energy is the backbone - without it, the electrification switch cannot happen, so we’re partners, collaborators in this transition. It’s been great to work with the GreenFleet team this year to try and help strengthen that link – and hopefully it’s something we can build on year on year. Like all demand users, the EV industry needs to be able to depend, invest and capture as many opportunities as possible from the energy transition, so it’s right we work together and plan ahead.

Please tell us about your current and future plans?

We’re currently planning ahead for the next election in Wales in May 2026, and helping to make the positive case for renewables, whichever party is in power.