UK Government in talks for new nuclear power plant in Wales
The UK Government are in talks to build another large-scale multi-billion pound nuclear power plant in Wales.
The new plant on Anglesey in Wales is being discussed with reactor manufacturer Westinghouse, as part of efforts to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.
A new nuclear power plant at the decommissioned Wylfa site could become operational in the mid-2030s and generate power for six million homes.
The new Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is said to be keen on the idea, amid concern about rising energy prices and the fact that nuclear will only provide 8% of the UK’s energy by 2024.
The project is also being promoted by Welsh Secretary Simon Hart. Projects over 350MW in size are reserved to Westminster and can be pushed through without the Welsh Government’s consent.
Government sources have told the Times that there is now “growing backing” for the idea to go ahead. An attempt to build a nuclear plant at Wylfa with Hitachi collapsed last September.
“If our current situation shows anything it is that we need more stable home grown, low carbon generation in the UK,” the source said. “This is an important project that we’re very keen to try and get off the ground.”
A nuclar power plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset is already in the works, but has caused controversy as mud has been dumped off the coast of Cardiff.
‘Problems’
The UK Government plans could scupper those of the Welsh Government, who had been eyeing Wylfa as the location of a small modular reactor. Trawsfynydd has also been considered as a possible location.
The small nuclear reactor has been designed by Rolls-Royce and is awaiting approval in the UK. Already, the company has said that there is a “fairly high probability” that one could be installed in Trawsfynydd by the early 2030s.
Tom Samson, chief executive of the Rolls-Royce-led consortium, told the Financial Times that “Wales in particular holds significant potential” for small modular reactors.
Anti-nuclear campaign groups PAWB and CADNO have opposed plans for any more nuclear power and said that the sites should be the focus for the development of renewable and sustainable technologies.
“There is not enough proof that the technology will have been developed enough to make a difference in the critical fight against climate change in time,” they said.
“In addition, limited public resources that support nuclear mean that those resources are not available to truly green and sustainable technologies.
“Climate change, homelessness, poverty, inequality – these are the complex problems of our time. The nuclear obsession does nothing to solve these problems; it adds to them. ”
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Gutted this is truly terrible news
Hopefully this outrageous imposition by a uk govt will convince even more people in wales of the case for welsh independence
Yes. Nuclear is NOT low carbon. 3rd highest carbon emitter after coal-fired and natural gas electricity generators. Life cycle emissions 66 grams of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt-hour.
Some studies have waste to energy as a higher emitter of carbon, particularly if you factor in all the waste you have to truck in.
But I’m with you on no new nuclear.
…we definately need urgent action on climate change and the ecological emergency but have to question nuclear : a. Where does the uranium ore come from? Not on these Islands (fuel security) and it has to be mined and processed – environmentally damaging and energy intensive (so definately not carbon neutral). b. Consequences of an accident are unthinkable – large parts of Cymru would become uninhabitable. c. Binds us closer to the ‘all knowing, all wonderful, colosus (NOT) that is Westminster’. Is it just me or are the rest of you becoming more convinced nationalists as each week goes by?… Read more »
It is indeed a dilemma, and like with the former Wylfa and Trawsfynydd Magnox atomic power stations opinions are going to be very divided. As you point out the ethics and economics of nuclear as an energy source are seriously questionable, and the risks don’t bear thinking about. But, as with the original nuclear power stations located in NW Wales, (partially because of their remoteness from major centres of population) the economically marginalised nature of the proposed location is clearly being exploited. Both Wylfa and Trawsfynydd offered secure and ongoing employment that was relatively well paid, and crucially is all… Read more »
The huge offshore wind farms coming 20 km off the north coast of Wales will produce more power and employ as many local people
b. Much of our coastline has already become uninhabitable…for locals!
The welsh national movement has to resist this outrage with every means at our disposal. We cannot allow the british state to keep treating Wales as a place to be used and exploited when it suits it.
This is great news, provides jobs and clean energy…well done UK Government
Theres nothing ‘clean’ about nuclear energy – the hazardous waste it would produce (and which would be buried underground somewhere in Wales) would remain poisonous for thousands of years!
We have yet to dispose of any of the high level waste we have ever produced. It’s all in storage awaiting disposal
All the steel for hinkley point c is made in Wales. Get a grip 🙄
What on earth could be the solution to having the English government imposing their nuclear reactors on the people of Cymru?
Any suggestions? There must be a way.
Unfortunately, it isn’t a ‘devolved’ matter, so it’s not within the purview of the Welsh Government. Real self government (in a federal or confederal union) or independence are the only routes to us having a say.
Thanks, but Cymru is an Indy Only -zone!
As well as producing tons of poisonous waste, which would be stored underground somewhere in wales for thousands of years, the clean up cost when it is decomissioned in the future would fall on a welsh govt if wales was an independent country by then. Cleaning up sellafield cost a massive £70 billion – the clean up costs for this would bankrupt a future independent Wales ☹️. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-26124803.amp
I would avoid the term “bankrupt” if I were you as it is a word often bandied about by the ATWA mob about an independent Cymru. Even Greece – with all the financial difficulties it has had – hasn’t gone bankrupt. Indeed, can anyone name a single country that has gone bankrupt since the end of the second world war?
Noted….lets just say the massive clean up costs when it is decommisioned would place a huge financial burden on a future independent wales
Which is probably another reason why they want it…
Good to see highly skilled jobs being created in an area of wales that’s usually overlooked
What is Plaid’s position on this?
Adam Price is against.
Wales already produces 50% more power than we need. The surplus goes to England gratis.
This sort of press release is possibly something to keep the “Natives” guessing.
Is it becoming a daily “drop the dead donkey” -thing?
As I’ve mentioned many times before. If it benefits England but taints Wales, will be built.
It up to wales not England to decide
I suspect this story has come about because the Tories are desperately trying to find a a way to hold on to Ynys Môn at the next general election. The suggested plant will be quietly dropped after the election. Let”s hope their little trick doesn”t work!!
Worth bearing in mind that talks for a nuclear reactor on Anglesey have been ongoing since around 2008 with two different providers. Both failed. With the expense of nuclear energy, there’s no reason at the moment to believe that these talks will lead anywhere different.