UK's first small nuclear power station to be built in north Wales

The UK's first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station will be built at Wylfa on Anglesey in north Wales. This project, led by Great British Energy-Nuclear and backed by £2.5 billion in government investment, aims to start generating power by the mid-2030s and could power approximately three million homes. Work is scheduled to commence next year, with the site potentially accommodating up to eight SMRs. The development is expected to create up to 3,000 jobs and bring billions of pounds in investment to the region, strengthening the UK's energy independence. The decision to proceed with SMRs at Wylfa was supported by UK political leaders, who highlighted a past neglect of nuclear power and presented this as a revitalizing moment for the area. However, the US ambassador expressed disappointment, having advocated for a large-scale nuclear plant and noting that alternative paths exist for quicker energy price and availability improvements. Industry experts describe SMRs as being factory-built in modular components, similar to flat-pack furniture, making them smaller and potentially easier to assemble on-site than traditional large-scale reactors. While welcomed for its potential economic and energy benefits, the project faces opposition from groups concerned about the long-term storage of nuclear waste and who believe investment should prioritize renewable energy. Critics also question the readiness and scale of SMR technology, describing it as an unproven development. Wylfa was chosen over a competing site in Gloucestershire, with reactors designed by Rolls-Royce, pending final contracts. This announcement follows the decomm... download the app to read more