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Plans have been unveiled for the construction of the UK’s inaugural small modular nuclear power station on the island of Anglesey in north Wales. This landmark project, set at the Wylfa site on the island’s northern coastline, is expected to generate thousands of jobs—up to 3,000—and attract multi-billion-pound investments. The power station will host the nation’s first three small modular reactors (SMRs), with capacity for potentially eight reactors in total. Work is slated to begin next year, with the facility aiming to start producing electricity by the mid-2030s.
The announcement drew strong support from political figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who highlighted Britain’s previous leadership in nuclear power. He lamented the period of neglect which left regions like Anglesey behind but asserted that this marks a turning point. Similarly, Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan expressed enthusiasm for the development, describing it as the moment that both Ynys Môn (the Welsh name for Anglesey) and Wales have eagerly awaited. The project is expected to have the capacity to supply electricity to around three million homes and is backed by a £2.5 billion government investment. The publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear will oversee the build.
Small modular reactors differ from traditional, large-scale nuclear plants as they are smaller in size and manufactured in factories before being assembled on site. This method promises a more streamlined construction process, although the output of each SMR is roughly a third of that of conventional reactors. Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, characterized the development as “exciting” and emphasized that the UK remains competitive in the market for new nuclear technologies. Simon Bowen, chair of Great British Energy-Nuclear, called the initiative a historic milestone, framing the project as a foundation for future nuclear energy fleets that will enhance the UK’s energy independence and spur long-term investments locally.
While the plan has received political backing, some criticism remains. US Ambassador Warren Stephens expressed disappointment over the decision to opt for SMRs instead of a larger facility. The US firm Westinghouse had proposed building a gigawatt-scale power station at Wylfa, and Stephens urged the UK government to consider the faster route of large-scale nuclear construction. Opposition groups, such as People Against Wylfa-B, have questioned the viability of SMRs, labeling them an unproven technology and disputing their size claims. Moreover, concerns persist over the absence of a permanent nuclear waste storage solution and calls to invest more heavily in renewable energy options—such as wind, wave, and tidal energy—that are seen as more suitable alternatives for Anglesey.
From a technical standpoint, experts welcome the development, referring to the SMRs as “the nuclear equivalent of an Ikea chair” due to their modular construction. Professor Simon Middleburgh of Bangor University emphasized how the SMR facility aligns well with the current electrical grid capacity at Wylfa and mirrors the output of the site’s former nuclear power plant, which has been decommissioned. However, challenges remain, including regulatory hurdles, the need to establish manufacturing factories for SMR components, and workforce training. Political implications are notable as well; this announcement comes amid efforts by Labour’s leadership to demonstrate commitment to major infrastructure investment. First Minister Eluned Morgan has been actively advocating for the project while balancing distinct Welsh political priorities ahead of the upcoming Senedd election
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