Visualising Energy Supply Futures project brings communities together across Wales and Pakistan

Visualising Energy Supply Futures brought together participants from two different geographic areas, Wales and northern Pakistan, to examine how energy generation and distribution could evolve in response to climate change, policy pressures and local needs.

The project was supported through a CARBS Public Value Engagement Fellowship, a programme designed to encourage and assist staff to bring their skills, knowledge, and expertise to engage with issues of concern in society.

Dr Singleton’s project focussed on creating inclusive and accessible spaces for dialogue around energy transition. By combining interactive workshops with open‑source digital mapping tools, participants from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds were able to engage with complex issues such as decarbonisation, energy ownership and infrastructure development.

A series of three workshops took place; one with participants based in Wales, one with participants in Pakistan, and a final joint workshop bringing representatives from both regions together. Each session blended creative “game-style” technique with guided spatial explorations of real-world energy systems. These activities were designed to encourage reflection on personal experiences of energy, surface emotional and ethical considerations, and support constructive discussions around future possibilities.

Central to the project was the use of open‑source maps built from publicly available data. Participants explored existing and proposed energy generation and transmission infrastructure, including renewable energy initiatives such as tidal power in the Severn Estuary. By annotating and modifying shared maps, participants could visualise alternative futures and contribute their own local knowledge directly to the process.

Alongside the workshops, participants also were invited to take part in a short interview, to offer reflections on the process.

The project cumulated in the production of an edited short film showcasing the process, participant experiences and key themes emerging from the discussions. The film demonstrates the wider public value of creative approaches to energy and climate engagement.

Dr Aled Singleton is an inter-disciplinary researcher and teacher whose work is driven by empowering citizens and policy makers in decisions around public services and infrastructure. After previously undertaking a role in the Welsh Economy Research Unit in Cardiff University’s Business School, Aled moved to the School of Geography and Planning as a Lecturer in Human Geography in September 2025.