Wales Secures Major Nuclear Investment
The UK government has officially confirmed that Wylfa on the island of Anglesey (Ynys Môn) will become the home of Britain's first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station. This landmark decision, announced on Thursday, 13 November 2025, marks a significant step in the nation's energy strategy and is set to provide a major economic boost to north Wales.
Project Timeline and Economic Impact
Construction work at the Wylfa site is scheduled to commence in 2026. The initial programme will involve building three reactors, with the potential for the location to accommodate up to eight in the future. The project is expected to be a substantial job creator, supporting an estimated 3,000 roles in the local economy at the peak of construction, plus hundreds of permanent full-time positions once operational.
The project will be run by the publicly owned company Great British Energy-Nuclear and is backed by a £2.5bn investment from the UK government. Rolls-Royce SMR is set to design the reactors, with final contracts anticipated to be signed later this year.
Political and Local Reaction
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that this decision reverses years of "neglect and inertia" in UK nuclear power. He emphasised the government's commitment to using all tools available, including cutting red tape and changing planning laws, to deliver the country's first SMR in North Wales.
Eluned Morgan, the First Minister of Wales, warmly welcomed the announcement, calling it "the moment Ynys Môn and the whole of Wales has been waiting for." She highlighted the promise of secure jobs and energy for the next generation.
While expressing welcome for the investment, local MS and Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth urged caution, referencing previous abandoned plans for the site in 2021. His priority is to ensure local community voices are heard and that the project delivers maximum economic benefit for young people on the island.
The new power station at Wylfa is projected to supply electricity for three million homes—more than twice the number of households in Wales—with power expected to reach the grid from the mid-2030s.
