North Wales Chosen as Location for UK’s First Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

A huge boost is on the way for North Wales as Wylfa, on Anglesey (Ynys Môn), has officially been chosen as the site for the UK’s first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station. The project, led by publicly owned Great British Energy–Nuclear and designed by Rolls-Royce SMR, marks a major step in Britain’s push for clean, homegrown energy and long-term job creation.

Work is due to begin in 2026, with an initial three SMRs planned and the potential for up to eight units in the future. At its peak, construction is expected to create around 3,000 local jobs, supported by a £2.5 billion government investment. Once operational in the mid-2030s, the site could generate enough power for three million homes, helping to secure the UK’s energy supply for decades to come.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Britain was once a world-leader in nuclear power, but years of neglect and inertia has meant places like Anglesey have been let down and left behind. Today, that changes.” He added that the government is “cutting red tape, changing planning laws, and backing growth” to make the project happen.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called the decision a “landmark investment” that shows Britain “can still build big projects that stand the test of time.” He said it’s part of the government’s clean energy mission to boost energy independence and “take back control of our energy.”

Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan welcomed the news, describing it as “the moment Ynys Môn and the whole of Wales has been waiting for.” She said new nuclear power will bring “secure jobs and secure energy guaranteed for the next generation.”

The Wylfa site, which has a strong nuclear heritage dating back to the 1960s, beat Oldbury in Gloucestershire to host the reactors. Its compact, modular design means the new station will be built faster than traditional plants like Hinkley Point C.

Local leaders have praised the decision. Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru leader and MS for Ynys Môn, said it was “significant for people on Ynys Môn and across Wales,” but urged that communities must be “represented at every step.” Anglesey councillor Gary Pritchard added that if the plans go ahead, they’ll bring “economic certainty and prosperity for decades to come.”

However, not everyone is convinced. Some critics, including campaigners from People Against Wylfa-B, argue that the technology is still unproven and that investment should instead focus on renewable energy. US ambassador Warren Stephens also voiced disappointment in the decision, saying he would have preferred a larger, gigawatt-scale project.

Despite the debate, supporters say Wylfa’s SMRs will make the UK a global leader in next-generation nuclear power. Simon Bowen, Chair of Great British Energy–Nuclear, said the project will “lay the groundwork for a fleet-based approach to nuclear development,” strengthening the country’s energy independence. Rolls-Royce SMR’s chief executive Chris Cholerton called it “the first step in what will be a 100-year commitment to clean energy, innovation, and community partnership at Wylfa.”

As North Wales gears up for what many are calling a “nuclear renaissance,” the hope is that this time, the plans will finally come to life—powering homes, creating skilled jobs, and putting Anglesey back on the map as a hub of British energy innovation.