Anglesey selected as site for UK’s first small modular reactor nuclear plant

Anglesey has been chosen as the location for the UK's first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station. The project, located at Wylfa on Ynys Mon, will be developed by Great British Energy-Nuclear and receives a £2.5 billion government investment. SMRs are smaller, prefabricated nuclear power stations intended to be quicker to build than traditional plants, with the ambition of generating enough electricity to power three million homes. This decision aims to create up to 3,000 local jobs during construction and revitalize Wylfa, a site where previous nuclear power initiatives failed. The government also tasked Great British Energy-Nuclear with identifying sites for another large-scale nuclear plant, with a report due by autumn 2026. The UK's first SMRs are expected to be designed by Rolls-Royce SMR and could begin supplying power by the mid-2030s. The selection of Anglesey for SMRs has drawn criticism from the US ambassador, who expressed disappointment. The ambassador had advocated for a larger reactor at Wylfa, with US firm Westinghouse reportedly offering plans for a gigawatt station. He argued that alternative, approved options exist that are cheaper and faster to implement, emphasizing the importance of affordable energy for the UK-US alliance. This announcement follows a nuclear partnership agreement between the UK and the US. The Prime Minister highlighted the project as a reversal of past neglect, promising job creation, investment, and lower energy bills. The First Minister of Wales also welcomed the decision, citing secure jobs and energy ... download the app to read more