The UK government has approved the start of work on a new nuclear power project at Wylfa, marking a significant step in its push for energy security and low-carbon power generation.Ministers selected the Anglesey site after signing a £2.5bn partnership with Rolls-Royce last year to develop small modular reactors (SMRs), a new generation of nuclear technology.The project is expected to create around 8,000 jobs across the UK, including about 3,000 at the site and a further 5,000 nationwide, according to industry estimates.
First-of-its-kind SMR rollout
The development will pave the way for three SMRs, the first of their kind in the UK, to be built at Wylfa.
These reactors are designed to be manufactured in factories as modules and then assembled on-site, reducing construction time and costs.Once operational, the three units are expected to generate enough electricity to power around three million homes for more than 60 years.Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, described the move as a “historic step for clean power, industrial growth and skilled jobs in Wales,” adding that the sector is ready to position Britain at the forefront of new nuclear development.
Long road to revival
Wylfa previously operated as a nuclear power station for over four decades after opening in 1971, before its final reactor was shut down in 2015. Plans for a replacement plant were abandoned in 2021, but fresh proposals emerged in 2024 after the site was acquired by state-backed Great British Energy – Nuclear.If the project clears final investment and regulatory approvals — expected later this decade — the reactors could become operational in the 2030s.
Rolls-Royce bet on nuclear future
Rolls-Royce SMR is leading the technology development and has secured up to £599m in funding from Britain’s National Wealth Fund to accelerate its SMR programme.The company is racing to deploy its modular reactor technology, which aims to make nuclear power cheaper and faster to build. It already employs over 1,000 people on the project and is also pursuing similar developments in Europe, including the Czech Republic.Chris Cholerton, chief executive of Rolls-Royce SMR, said the agreement brings “certainty” to the UK’s SMR programme and marks the beginning of a broader rollout.
Government backs energy security push
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called the project a “major milestone” for energy security, stressing that expanding clean energy is key to reducing reliance on fossil fuels.Chancellor Rachel Reeves said investment in SMR technology would help create skilled jobs while building a new generation of homegrown nuclear power.Local authorities on Anglesey have welcomed the announcement, highlighting the economic and employment opportunities it could bring. However, officials also stressed that community concerns, including environmental impact and infrastructure pressure, must be carefully managed as the project progresses.Officials said ensuring local participation, skills development and long-term benefits for residents will be key as the project moves into its next phase.
