
When an organisation in North Wales decides to invest in solar panels, battery storage or a more energy-efficient building, I want it to be able to find the expertise available close to home. That sounds straightforward. In practice, it can be surprisingly difficult.
I have experienced this myself when looking for a local installer. Search results often favour larger companies with the resources to maintain a strong online presence. Smaller businesses may rely on social media or word of mouth, and keeping their information up to date has to compete with the demands of delivering work.
That can leave a gap between the skills we have in the region and the organisations looking for them. As more clean energy projects come forward, we need to make those connections easier.
At Ambition North Wales, our £25 million North Wales Clean Energy Fund is supporting opportunities across the private and voluntary sectors. Its aims include reducing carbon emissions and energy costs, while encouraging investment and supporting jobs. We are already seeing around 100 enquiries and expressions of interest, with solar, battery storage and electric vehicle charging among the technologies being considered.
For me, that interest brings an important responsibility. We need to help organisations develop their projects while giving businesses based in North Wales a fair opportunity to be seen and considered for the work.
This is why we are establishing a Renewables Supplier Database. It will provide a publicly accessible online directory of businesses based in North Wales, helping organisations identify suppliers with the expertise their projects require. Users will be able to narrow their search by specialism and county, making it easier to find relevant businesses locally.
The opportunity extends beyond renewable energy installers. We want to hear from businesses working in solar, wind and hydro, alongside battery storage, heat pumps and EV charging infrastructure. There is also a place for contractors and service providers whose work reduces energy use in buildings, including insulation and other improvements to the building fabric.
A business does not need to be large to contribute. We are interested in what it can deliver, the services it offers and the relevant accreditations it holds. Businesses that meet our requirements will be able to present that information in a directory designed to help prospective customers find them.
The database is not a procurement framework or an accreditation scheme. Inclusion does not guarantee work, appointment or endorsement by Ambition North Wales. It gives suppliers greater visibility and helps organisations identify businesses they may wish to approach.
Once established, we intend to share the directory with organisations enquiring about the Clean Energy Fund. The connection can also work in the other direction. A supplier speaking to a customer about an installation may find that finance is a barrier. In that situation, it can encourage the customer to explore whether the fund could support an eligible project.
We are working with Sell2Wales to encourage relevant businesses to join. Two webinars are being planned, alongside a meet the buyer event for the New Year. We also want to help smaller businesses become more comfortable using platforms such as Sell2Wales, so that finding opportunities and responding to them feels more manageable.
There is a wider economic purpose behind this work. Helping local suppliers access projects gives them opportunities to grow and can help retain more of the value of clean energy investment within North Wales. For the organisations investing, access to suitable expertise is a practical part of turning an idea into a delivered project.
Businesses are already joining the database. My encouragement to others is to get involved now, so their expertise can be visible as projects develop.
Businesses can find out more through the Renewables Supplier Database notice on Sell2Wales or by emailing ynni@uchelgaisgogledd.cymru.










