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Wales to Host Britain's First Mini Nuclear Power Station by Mid-2030s
13 Nov
Summary
- Three small modular reactors to be built at Wylfa site
- Each reactor to power 1 million homes, totaling 3 million
- Facility to cover size of two football pitches, operational by mid-2030s
In a historic move, the UK government has revealed plans to build Britain's first-ever mini nuclear power station in Wylfa, Wales. The new facility will house three small modular reactors (SMRs) designed and manufactured by Rolls-Royce, each capable of powering 1 million homes. This means the Wylfa site, which previously hosted a conventional nuclear power station that closed in 2015, will be revived to supply a total of 3 million homes with low-carbon energy by the mid-2030s.
The innovative SMR technology is touted as a more practical and cost-effective alternative to traditional large-scale nuclear plants. The entire facility, roughly the size of two football pitches, will be factory-assembled and then transported to the Wylfa location for installation. This approach is expected to speed up the construction process compared to conventional nuclear projects like Hinkley Point C.
The government's £2.5 billion investment in this project aims to position the UK as a leader in the emerging SMR market, which is also being explored in countries like China, Russia, and the United States. The Wylfa site, with its proud history of nuclear excellence, is set to become a "beacon" of the UK's nuclear renaissance, providing thousands of local jobs during the construction phase and reliable, sustainable power for decades to come.
