Ynys Môn selected as site for UK’s first small modular reactor nuclear plant
The UK’s first “small modular reactor” nuclear power station will be built at Wylfa, on Ynys Môn (Anglesey), the UK Government has confirmed.
The first-of-its-kind project will be built by publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear and is backed by £2.5 billion investment from the Government.
The Government also announced Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) has been tasked with identifying potential sites for another large-scale nuclear power plant, similar to those being built at Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell in Suffolk.
It will report back by autumn 2026, and has been requested by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to consider sites across the UK, including in Scotland, officials said.
Small modular reactors (SMR) are mini nuclear power stations which are smaller and designed to be installed on site as prefabricated modules, with hopes the technology will be quicker to build than more traditional plants such as Hinkley Point C.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said the announcement would support up to 3,000 jobs in the local economy at the height of construction
And it would allow Wylfa, where previous attempts to bring back nuclear power to the site of a former reactor had failed, to become a “beacon” of a nuclear golden age, the department said.
The UK’s first small modular nuclear reactors, which will – subject to final contract – be designed by Britain’s Rolls-Royce SMR, are expected to generate enough electricity to power three million homes.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Britain was once a world leader in nuclear power, but years of neglect and inertia has meant places like Anglesey have been let down and left behind.
“Today, that changes. We’re using all the tools in our armoury – cutting red tape, changing planning laws, and backing growth – to deliver the country’s first SMR in North Wales.
“This government isn’t just reversing decline, it’s delivering thousands of future-proofed jobs, driving billions in investment, and providing cheaper energy bills in the long term.”
First Minister Eluned Morgan added: “This is the moment Ynys Môn and the whole of Wales has been waiting for.
“New nuclear is a step into the future with secure jobs and secure energy guaranteed for the next generation.”
‘Historic moment’
The Energy Department said GBE-N will start activity on the site in 2026, with an initial project for three reactors, but the site could potentially hold up to eight of the mini power plants.
It is hoped the Wylfa reactors will start supplying power to the grid from the mid-2030s.
Officials also said there would be export opportunities for SMRs, and potential for new nuclear at the former site of Oldbury, in Gloucestershire, owned by GBE-N.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “Bringing nuclear back to Wylfa is a historic moment for Wales and for the UK’s clean energy future.
“Wylfa’s revival offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver clean, reliable power for decades to come, create thousands of skilled jobs, attract major investment, and revitalise North Wales’s proud industrial heritage.
“With Great British Energy-Nuclear and Rolls-Royce SMR leading the way, the project will bring lasting economic and social benefits to the communities that have long been at the heart of our energy story.
“We look forward to working with government, local partners and industry to make Wylfa’s return a lasting success.”
Potential
Plaid Cymru MS for Ynys Môn, Rhun ap Iorwerth, and MP for Ynys Môn, Llinos Medi, have welcomed the announcement that Wylfa has been selected to host the UK’s first small modular reactor nuclear power plant.
Ynys Môn MP, Llinos Medi said: “The confirmation that Wylfa has been chosen to host the UK’s first small modular reactor is a significant step for Ynys Môn and for north Wales. After years of uncertainty, this announcement could finally unlock Wylfa’s potential and bring the long-term, high-quality jobs and investment our communities deserve.
“Since being elected MP for Ynys Môn, and previously as leader of the council, I have worked with local businesses, local experts, and the local authority to make the case for Wylfa – meeting with UK Government ministers, Great British Energy-Nuclear, and industry leaders to highlight the site’s unique strengths and the depth of local support. This progress is the result of years of partnership across Ynys Môn.
“But we’ve been here before, with major announcements that did not lead to spades in the ground. So, while today’s news is welcome, the people of Ynys Môn will understandably treat it with caution until we see firm timelines and local commitments delivered.
“Wylfa can be a game-changer for Ynys Môn, strengthening our energy security and creating a foundation for a cleaner, fairer future – but only if local people see real and lasting benefits. My focus now is on making sure this project is done with our communities, not to them – creating opportunities for young people and supporting local supply chains. I will continue to hold the UK Government to its promises and work to ensure this development truly serves the island and its people.”
‘Hard work’
Ynys Môn MS, Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Today’s announcement is significant for people on Ynys Môn and across Wales. It reflects years of hard work by both the Plaid Cymru-led Anglesey County Council and Llinos Medi – both as the current MP and former council leader.
“Since I was elected over twelve years ago, the future of the Wylfa site has remained a live issue on Ynys Môn. Whilst we’ve learnt from past experience that we need assurances now that this plan will actually be delivered, there’s no doubt that there’s a real opportunity here that we have to take advantage of.
“My priority from this point is to ensure that the voices and interests of communities on Ynys Môn are represented at every step. I’ve always taken the view that we must make the most of the economic growth and job opportunities for young people that come with a new development at Wylfa, whilst also putting measures in place to mitigate the challenges that a project of this scale and nature inevitably brings.
“The Welsh Government also has a crucial role to play in these discussions. I want to make sure that Welsh Government has real input, with Welsh interests placed at the heart of the development.”
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Very disappointing to see Plaid Cymru supporting this. Only yesterday Plaid supporters were in the Nation Cymru comments section on here and socials saying that there was no need to vote Green because there’s Plaid.
Well here’s a solid reason why people vote Green instead.
Wales does not need a new nuclear power plant, we already produce twice the electricity we use and being integrated into the UK’s nuclear framework significantly weakens the chances of independence.
I’ll be voting Green for sure.
Exporting energy to the EU boosts GDP.
Not saying it doesn’t.
I’d rather the money be put into green energy rather than very dangerous materials that’ll pollute wherever they’re dumped for eons, but yay short term gdp bounce I guess…
Scotland has seen absolutely no benefit from decades of exporting our natural resources to England. Green energy is no different. We have the visual impact of turbines and pylons, while in England, locals are pacified with the cables being buried underground and with lower energy prices than in Scotland, where the energy is generated.
How many people in Wales will be employed by British Energy? Scotland was promised thousands of jobs, but the jobs are in England.
The reactor are small modular reactors. They will be built at Rolls Royces SMR factory in Sheffield, not in Wales!
The reactor itself will be built in England, but that is a short-term activity. The jobs operating and maintaining the plant will be solid, long-term high-paid Welsh jobs, and their salaries will trickle through the local economy. It will also provide a reason for young folk to stay local instead of leaving the island in search of work when they finish their education.
When Wylfa shut down, median pay in Anglesey reduced by 14%. The new SMR won’t reverse that entirely, but it will be a good start.
For incomers.
Construction is a short term bounce but exporting energy will boost GDP for as long as it happens. Small GDP is more likely to hamper independence than having a few SMRs for which there is a European framework – Euratom – that we didn’t leave.
Yes, let’s scrap projects like this and just huddle together a bit more for warmth. Not sure what we’ll do for jobs either but I’m sure the whole of Wales can simply sign-on? Yes, that’ll work.
That’s not what I’m advocating.
Would you be happy with nuclear waste disposed of in your town?
https://nation.cymru/feature/letter-from-cemaes/
I fully agree with rhun’s comments. Without this new build there are very few opportunities on the island, though I’ll give a shout out to the great efforts at Msparc. These development has been 15 20 years in prep, well done to council, WG and UK governments. Next step is to maximise construction and maintenance jobs and sub contractors are local as well, but we’re well placed with College menai campus and the earlier work of people like energy island. And ensuring house prices don’t go through the roof!
Absolutely brilliant. We desperately need good, skilled jobs in Wales and the whole of the UK needs reliable sources of energy (the Ukraine war has emphasised this in the starkest possible terms). Can’t quite fathom why people would be against it. Unfortunately, we’re still decades behind Scotland in terms of the renewables sector with no sign of any strategy to utilise our significant natural resources and bring in investment. I hope this finally changes next summer, whoever wins.
Because it’s a very dangerous material which will pollute wherever it’s disposed of for eons, that’s why some people are against it.
Nope. You just seal it in concrete. Perfectly safe.
Or better still research and innovate to find better solutions.
Absolutely. But in the here and now then this is we are. And it’ll be a fair few years before even this solution is up and running…
Cool, would you have it under your garden?
How much will be spent on ‘plans’ by the ‘development squad’ before the plug gets pulled in a year or three …
Maybe Twmp will stage a Palace coup via the BBC and replace William with Baron Twmp …
First of as a Former miner i welcome this its the first major investment in Wales even if its only crumbs to what England have received most probably because of next May elections
This announcement has nothing to do with Labour’s slump in the polls or any upcoming Senedd election next May. Nah, purely coincidental. How cynical of me. It’s amazing how UK Labour can miraculously shake billions from its Whitehall magic money tree but say there’s no money left in the coffers to give Wales its HS2 consequential owed? Odd that. Also, I take it the rail electrification of the North Wales line promised currently in limbo will be scrapped like the Cardiff to Swansea farce. Same old story see Labour’s read the Tory. Hey, that rhymed. Man, I’m good me. That… Read more »
If Westminster suddenly decides to pay for a Newport relief road then you might have a point.
It’s not deemed important enough.
3,000 jobs!!! For who? Who’s pulling the wool over our eyes, yet again? Incomers will be falling over each other to cross the border and they will get most of the jobs and house builders will be rubbing their hands building houses for them too.
If you heard the interview on radio 4 this morning with Miliband, those 3000 jobs will be the total figure of jobs created while the infrastructure is built, so not 3000 fulltime high skilled jobs , he then said there would be hundreds of jobs but couldn’t be specific.
Basically this is England dumping nuclear infrastructure on Wales and as you say the high skilled high wage jobs won’t be given to locals.
If it follows employment rules same as Hinckley then 35% of workers will come from the most deprived areas in UK not just Wales, but I suspect some legal wrangling especially as Rolls Royce has already received over £200m in Development funding.
How much has Welsh Govt spent through Cwmni Egino to date as Trawsfynydd SMR was a project they floated previously.
There are nowhere near 6000 jobs for Ynys Mon in this. It’s a joint venture between Rolls Royce Engineering and BAE. The modules will be constructed at Barrow and Sellafield in Cumbria. Shipped to site, to then be fired up and wired in. There will only be a concrete contractor, a few hotel bookings and perhaps a burger van near Amlwch.
Once energy & profits are exported out of Wales, will Nuclear waste be a devolved problem for the Welsh to pay for? Will next door’s Westminster spivs show the same compassion and concern as shown over the s**g tips still in Wales?
Who will benefit most from this Wales located nuclear power station providing, allegedly, cheaper electricity? I suspect it will be Liverpool.
If it brings a second bridge to go with the ancient monument few on Ynys Mon will complain…
If Cardiff is bringing back tramways then the ferry between Bangor Pier and the ‘Guzzle’ (see, No Distress Signals: Winifred Brown) should be reinstated…
No to Nuclear!