A landmark nuclear power project is set to transform Anglesey’s northern coast, with construction of the UK’s first small modular reactor (SMR) power station at Wylfa confirmed. The £2.5bn government-backed development, led by Great British Energy-Nuclear, will create up to 3,000 jobs and generate enough electricity to power around three million homes. Work is expected to begin next year, with operations starting by the mid-2030s.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the announcement as a turning point, saying Britain was “once a global leader in nuclear power” but had suffered from “years of neglect”. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called the project “historic”, adding that it would bring long-term employment and skills to Wales, with training opportunities provided through local colleges.
SMRs are smaller, factory-built versions of traditional nuclear reactors, designed for quicker assembly and greater efficiency. Wylfa’s design, developed by Rolls-Royce, could eventually expand to eight reactors. The site was chosen over Oldbury in Gloucestershire after its previous large-scale plans collapsed in 2021.
While many have welcomed the project as a “game-changer” for the Welsh economy, environmental groups remain opposed, arguing the investment should focus on renewable energy such as wind, solar and tidal power instead of unproven nuclear technology.
