Anglesey Chosen as Site for UK’s First Small Modular Nuclear Power Station

Wylfa, on the island of Anglesey (Ynys Môn), has officially been selected as the site for the United Kingdom’s first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station — a landmark decision hailed as a turning point for Britain’s clean energy ambitions and the Welsh economy.

The UK government confirmed on Thursday that the north Wales location will host the pioneering project under the management of Great British Energy–Nuclear, a publicly owned company created to accelerate renewable and low-carbon energy generation. The decision follows months of site evaluation, during which Oldbury in Gloucestershire was also under consideration.

A Major Step in Britain’s Nuclear Revival

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the announcement as “a historic milestone” in Britain’s return to global leadership in nuclear energy.

“Britain was once a world leader in nuclear power, but years of neglect and inertia have meant places like Anglesey have been left behind,” Starmer said. “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.”

The project, supported by a £2.5 billion investment from the UK government, is designed to meet future energy demands while supporting economic growth in one of Wales’s most deprived regions.

Officials estimate that construction will create around 3,000 jobs at its peak and sustain hundreds of permanent positions once the reactors are operational. Work on the site is expected to begin in 2026, with an initial plan to install three reactors.

The Wylfa site could eventually accommodate up to eight SMR units, enough to power three million homes — more than twice the total number of households in Wales. The reactors are projected to begin supplying electricity to the grid by the mid-2030s.

Welsh Government Welcomes “A New Era of Energy Security”

Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan described the announcement as “the moment Ynys Môn and the whole of Wales has been waiting for.”

“New nuclear is a step into the future — secure jobs, secure energy, and secure opportunities for the next generation,” she said. “We have been pressing the case at every opportunity for Wylfa’s incredible benefits as a site, and I warmly welcome this major decision to invest in northwest Wales. Wales is once again leading the way.”

The SMR technology, championed by Rolls-Royce SMR, involves compact, prefabricated nuclear units that can be built off-site and assembled more quickly than traditional nuclear plants such as Hinkley Point C. The reactors promise lower upfront costs, shorter build times, and greater scalability, marking a potential shift in how nuclear power is deployed worldwide.

Wylfa, power station in Anglesey, North Wales, pictured in 1973. Pic PA

A Site with a Nuclear Legacy

Wylfa’s connection to nuclear power runs deep. The original Wylfa Nuclear Power Station was built in the 1960s and began generating electricity in 1971, operating for more than four decades before its reactors were decommissioned in 2012 and 2015.

Plans to revive nuclear activity at Wylfa have surfaced several times since then. In 2021, a previous proposal backed by Hitachi collapsed after funding disagreements with the UK government — a blow that left many on the island skeptical about future promises.

This new plan, however, is seen as more credible, given its state backing and the strategic role of nuclear energy in the UK’s net-zero by 2050 goals.

Local Response: Hope Tempered by Caution

Local representatives welcomed the announcement with cautious optimism. Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru and Member of the Senedd for Ynys Môn, acknowledged the potential benefits but urged the government to ensure that the promises are finally delivered.

“Today’s announcement is significant for people on Ynys Môn and across Wales,” he said. “It reflects years of hard work by the Plaid Cymru-led Anglesey County Council and Llinos Medi — both as the current MP and former council leader.”

He added:

“We’ve learnt from past experience that we need assurances now that this plan will actually be delivered. There’s a real opportunity here that we must take advantage of — but local communities must have their voices heard at every step.”

Ap Iorwerth also stressed the need for the Welsh Government’s involvement in shaping the project’s development to ensure Welsh interests are “placed at the heart” of decision-making.

Economic and Environmental Implications

Economically, the Wylfa project is expected to rejuvenate Anglesey’s industrial landscape, attracting new investment in infrastructure, education, and local supply chains.

However, environmental campaigners have already voiced concerns about nuclear waste management and the long-term ecological impact on the island’s coastline. While SMRs produce significantly less waste than conventional reactors, critics argue that the UK government must still provide transparent guarantees on safety and decommissioning.

Energy experts, meanwhile, point out that SMRs could play a crucial role in stabilizing the UK’s power grid as the nation transitions to renewables. Their reliable, low-carbon output could complement wind and solar energy, particularly in reducing reliance on natural gas imports.

As the UK prepares to embark on this ambitious new chapter, Wylfa stands at the centre of a debate balancing energy security, environmental responsibility, and regional development.

If successful, the Anglesey project could serve as a blueprint for a new generation of small modular nuclear reactors across the country — heralding what ministers hope will be a British nuclear renaissance.