Britain’s inaugural small nuclear power station is set to be constructed on Anglesey in North Wales, as affirmed by the Government. The initiative will be undertaken by the state-owned Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) and will receive a substantial £2.5 billion investment from the Government. Additionally, GBE-N has been assigned the responsibility of scouting potential locations for another large-scale nuclear facility akin to those underway at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk.
These small modular reactors are specifically designed to be swiftly assembled on-site as prefabricated modules, with the aim of expediting the construction process compared to conventional plants like Hinkley Point C. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated that the Wylfa plant would create around 3,000 employment opportunities within the local economy during peak construction periods. Officials contended that this development would transform Wylfa, which had previously faced setbacks in attempts to reintroduce nuclear power to the site of a former reactor, into a symbol of a flourishing nuclear era.
The inaugural small modular reactors, coined SMRs, will be designed by the prominent engineering firm Rolls-Royce and are anticipated to produce sufficient electricity to power three million households. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed, “Britain was once a global leader in nuclear power, but years of neglect and inertia have left places like Anglesey neglected. Today marks a shift. We are leveraging all available resources – streamlining bureaucracy, amending planning regulations, and supporting growth – to bring the country’s first SMR to North Wales. This government is not only reversing the decline but also creating thousands of future-proof jobs, attracting billions in investments, and ensuring cheaper energy bills in the long run.”
First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan remarked, “This is the moment Ynys Mon and the entire Wales region has been eagerly anticipating. New nuclear represents a leap into the future, guaranteeing secure jobs and energy for the upcoming generation.” The Energy Department disclosed that GBE-N will commence work on the site next year, initiating with a project for three reactors, with potential capacity for up to eight mini power plants on the site. The aspiration is for the Wylfa reactors to begin supplying power to the grid by the mid-2030s.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham voiced support for the advancement of SMRs, emphasizing that the absence of support for a gigawatt nuclear power station at Wylfa would be a missed chance in securing the UK’s energy stability. Sue Ferns OBE, senior deputy general secretary at Prospect, welcomed the nuclear renaissance for its potential to provide clean, reliable energy and quality employment opportunities across the UK, particularly emphasizing the importance of the SMR program in shaping the future energy landscape.
The deployment of SMRs at Wylfa was hailed as a positive step, yet it was underscored that this should not rule out the possibility of a gigawatt-scale nuclear venture in the future. The expectation is that the site will be included in GBE-N’s assessment of potential sites for the next large nuclear initiative. The consensus is that nuclear power can sustain numerous well-paid jobs and bolster local economies, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Wales’ Energy Island.
