The University of Sheffield AMRC has welcomed North Wales being chosen for the UK’s first small modular reactor nuclear power station, marking a significant industrial investment backed by £2.5 billion and supporting 3,000 new jobs in local economy.

North Wales will become a beacon in the ‘golden age’ of nuclear, delivering the UK’s first ever small modular nuclear reactors built by publicly-owned Great British Energy-Nuclear and, subject to final contract, designed by Britain’s Rolls-Royce SMR. 

Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) has confirmed that Wylfa, which has a strong nuclear heritage dating back to the 1960s and sits on the coast of Ynys Môn (Anglesey) in North Wales, will host three Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). 

Ben Morgan, interim chief executive officer at the University of Sheffield AMRC, said:  “The selection of Wylfa on Anglesey as the site for the UK's first Small Modular Reactors is a truly monumental moment for North Wales, marking the most significant industrial investment in the region for a generation and securing local jobs during its development. This is not just about power generation; it is about powering a genuine industrial renaissance across the entire region.

“This announcement takes on even greater significance for the AMRC given our firmly established footprint in North Wales with AMRC Cymru and our close collaboration with the Welsh Government; creating an exciting opportunity for us to be in further proximity with our long-term strategic partner, Rolls-Royce SMR, as we continue to help it develop the advanced manufacturing solutions crucial to delivering this clean energy revolution.”

“As part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult network, the AMRC is poised to bring the collective expertise and might of the network to support Rolls-Royce SMR and the broader UK nuclear transformation.”

The government says the first-of-its-kind project 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 into the  mid-2030s. 

This investment of more than £2.5 billion builds on the government’s record of investment into the North Wales economy, including the Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone, which was backed by a consortium featuring AMRC Cymru to boost advanced manufacturing.

First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan said: “This is the moment Ynys Môn and the whole of Wales has been waiting for. New nuclear is a step into the future with secure jobs and secure energy guaranteed for the next generation.

“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 north West Wales. Wales is once again leading the way.”

The UK’s first small modular reactors – mini nuclear reactors which are smaller and quicker to build than some traditional nuclear power stations - are expected to deliver power for the equivalent of around three  million homes as part of the government’s clean energy superpower mission, which it says will  give the UK energy independence that will power the NHS, national security and British innovation.

The SMRs will be backed by the public through Great British Energy - Nuclear, giving the people a stake in a leading-edge technology that has global export opportunities and builds a vital sovereign capability for the country.

This is part of the UK’s modern industrial strategy, directing every lever of the state to win in technologies like SMRs. In the Spending Review, the government confirmed major investment in Sizewell C, which will provide power for the equivalent of six  million homes and 10,000 jobs, as well as more than £2.5 billion funding for the country’s first SMR programme. 

Simon Bowen, chair of Great British Energy - Nuclear, 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.”

The initial project will be for three SMR units, but Great British Energy-Nuclear assesses the site could potentially host up to eight mini reactors. The ambition is for Wylfa’s small modular reactors to be supplying power to the grid from the mid-2030s.

Chris Cholerton, chief executive of Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “We are honoured to have the opportunity to establish our UK fleet programme with an initial three units at the Wylfa site. Today’s announcement marks the first step in what will be a 100-year commitment to clean energy, innovation, and community partnership at Wylfa.

“This is a tremendous opportunity not just for North Wales but for the whole country, as we establish an enduring supply chain that will enable our fleet deployment in the UK and a large export programme, starting in Czechia.”

There is also strong export potential for small modular reactors, after the UK and Czechia signed a deal to cooperate on civil nuclear. It comes after Rolls-Royce SMR and Czechia’s largest public company, ČEZ, agreed last year to partner on SMRs.