Communities should benefit from cheaper energy bills for hosting large energy projects, according to the Ynys Môn MP.

Plaid Cymru's energy spokesperson, Llinos Medi, spoke out during a Westminster debate on October 15.

She argued for "real community benefit" from large-scale energy projects, citing solar farms as an example.

North Wales is currently bearing the highest standing charges in the UK, paying more than £80 annually compared to London, despite hosting several large-scale projects, including onshore wind.

The MP highlighted plans for two major wind farms in her constituency, which will cover 3,700 acres of farmland.

These will partly surround the Llyn Alaw area in the island's north.

Ms Medi said: "Ynys Môn, my constituency, is known as ‘Energy Island’ and is home to community-owned marine energy project Morlais, which is an example to all.

"But now we have a large proposed development for solar, covering 3,700 acres – around 2 per cent of Ynys Môn.

"The bigger of the two, Maen Hir Energy, is five times the size of the UK’s largest active solar farm.

"But the local corner shop would be creating more local jobs than the Maen Hir Energy project, and it would have a detrimental effect on the economy through its impact on agriculture."

Ms Medi criticised large developers for offering "tokenistic gestures and small sums of money" to the communities affected by the projects.

She said: "Rather than ‘community benefits’, let’s call it what it is – very often it is community compensation.

"Compensation in the sense that large developers often give a small amount of money to communities, who are then burdened with the economic and social costs of the projects."

The Plaid Cymru MP also stated that the behaviour of some developers was "unacceptable", having witnessed developers reduce their financial offer to the community within days.

She said: "It is shocking that developers are only required to make voluntary commitments for compensation, which can seemingly be changed at a whim."

To address these issues, Ms Medi suggested moving beyond compensation towards "meaningful ownership".

She believes community-owned renewable projects can provide significant benefits, including cheaper energy bills and increased resource efficiency, without compromising the landscape and economy of Ynys Môn.

Ms Medi called for a "step change" in the energy system to ensure that communities hosting clean technologies feel the real benefits.

She said: "I hope the Government listens to the calls for change and takes forward proposals that will bring meaningful benefits to local communities."