UK's first small nuclear power station to be built in north Wales
9 days ago
- #infrastructure
- #nuclear-energy
- #wales
- UK's first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station to be built in Wylfa, Anglesey, north Wales.
- Project expected to create up to 3,000 jobs and bring billions in investment, with power generation targeted by mid-2030s.
- Backed by £2.5bn UK government investment and led by publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear.
- SMRs are smaller, modular reactors, described as the 'nuclear equivalent of an Ikea chair'.
- Site could host up to eight SMRs, with initial plans for three, powering around three million homes.
- Mixed reactions: praised for jobs and energy independence, but criticized for cost and unproven technology.
- Previous large-scale nuclear plans at Wylfa fell through in 2021 due to funding issues.
- Political significance noted, with Labour keen to demonstrate infrastructure investment ahead of elections.
- Concerns raised over nuclear waste storage and calls for focus on renewable energy alternatives.
- Wylfa chosen over Oldbury in Gloucestershire, with Rolls-Royce designing the reactors.