The announcement today from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirming Wylfa on Anglesey has been selected as the site to deliver the UK’s first ever nuclear small modular reactors (SMR) is great news for North Wales and another key milestone for the sector.
The first-of-its-kind project, built by publicly-owned Great British Energy-Nuclear and, subject to final contract, designed by Britain’s Rolls-Royce SMR, is expected to support up to 3,000 good jobs in the local community at peak construction, underpinned by billions of pounds of infrastructure investment out to the mid-2030s.
This investment of over £2.5 billion, which is part of the government’s “clean energy superpower mission”, is expected to deliver power for the equivalent of around three million homes from the mid-2030s.
With activity on site set to start in 2026, the initial project will be for three nuclear SMR units, although the site (pictured) could potentially host up to eight mini reactors, which are smaller and quicker to build than some traditional nuclear power stations.
It follows on from June’s announcement giving the green light on a £14.2bn investment for Britain’s second new nuclear power project in a generation in building Sizewell C nuclear power station.
“This announcement is great news for North Wales, bringing investment and thousands of jobs to the region.
“On the back of the Sizewell C announcement, this is also another key milestone for the nuclear sector, providing greater certainty to the sector for planning and giving engineering construction employers the confidence they need to grow their workforce.
“As the statutory skills body for the civil nuclear sector, the ECITB stands ready to help and is already working with government and industry partners to help deliver, grow and maintain a skilled nuclear workforce fit for the future.
“Through our Labour Forecasting Tool (LFT), we have identified critical skills that will be needed for new nuclear builds, such as roles like steel erectors, electrical technicians and welders.
“With our research highlighting that the size of the engineering construction workforce in the nuclear sector could grow by 29% to more than 46,000 by 2030, the ECITB is committed to work in partnership with employers, training providers and industry partners to help deliver these large infrastructure projects.”
Andrew Hockey
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) Chief Executive
The Government also announced that Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N) has been tasked with identifying suitable sites that could potentially host a further large-scale reactor project beyond the current deployments at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, which would have the potential to power the equivalent of six million homes.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “GBE-N will report back by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond. The Energy Secretary has requested this includes sites across the United Kingdom, including Scotland.
“Alongside SMRs and other advanced nuclear projects, this could further deliver the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, boosting the country’s energy security, securing the next generation of good, skilled jobs and protecting billpayers.”
Simon Bowen, Chair of Great British Energy-Nuclear, the UK government’s nuclear delivery body, added: “This is a historic moment for the UK, and is another momentous step in realising Britain’s potential in leading the way on nuclear energy.
“These first SMRs at Wylfa will lay the groundwork for a fleet-based approach to nuclear development, strengthening the UK’s energy independence and bringing long-term investment to the local economy.
“Wylfa has a proud history of nuclear excellence, and we’re excited to build on that foundation to deliver jobs, training, and low-carbon energy for generations to come.”
Read the full Government statement about the UK’s first SMRs
