The Opportunity
Nuclear is very much a part of our regional story – from the height of electricity generation in the 20th century, to present-day opportunities from decommissioning and new development.
North Wales is fast becoming a hotspot for clean energy projects, and the low carbon sector is rapidly growing within the region.
Future investment in nuclear would significantly help anchor this growth, securing thousands of jobs and business opportunities and delivering tangible benefits regionwide for many decades to come.
It would also support other low carbon industries through the development of transferable skills, supply chain capability and workforce readiness.
Alongside other clean energy technologies, nuclear has a huge role in our modern day industrial, economic and social revival.
Cwmni Egino has published a Prospectus which sets out the opportunity for Wales from the projected growth in the UK’s. civil nuclear sector. It makes the case for bringing new nuclear development to North Wales, and showcases what the region has to offer. Click here to view.
OUR NUCLEAR SITES
North Wales boasts two excellent sites for new nuclear development, with the potential to deploy large and small scale projects and to move at pace.
Our region is a strong contender for the siting of new nuclear projects. Cwmni Egino’s work confirms the viability of small scale nuclear at Trawsfynydd, whilst the purchase of the Wylfa site by the UK Government and previous development work done by Horizon Nuclear Power makes it an attractive candidate for future investment – be that Small Modular Reactors (SMR) or large, gigawatt scale.
Both sites come with a strong nuclear heritage, including knowledge and skills honed locally over many decades and a workforce already active in the sector through decommissioning and supply chain activity.
Trawsfynydd
Wylfa
Cwmni Egino has explored the possibility of small scale nuclear development at Trawsfynydd. We have developed a substantive business proposition which evidences the viability of deploying small scale nuclear at the site to support the UK’s wider nuclear energy ambitions – either as part of a future Great British Nuclear (GBN) programme or through private investment.
There is also potential to deliver a broader vision for the site based on the nuclear legacy already established. The decommissioning expertise nurtured at Trawsfynydd is earning the site centre of excellence status, leveraging global interest and creating an opportunity for wider multi-disciplinary economic activity in the area.
Welsh Government’s Project ARTHUR is developing a business case for a Medical Research Reactor, which could be hosted at Trawfynydd on land beyond that required for a small-scale nuclear power station. This would contribute to increasing capacity for cancer treatments and other illnesses as well as generate jobs directly and through associated research and innovation.
In addition, work is underway to scope the feasibility of a proposed Collaborative Working facility to complement decommissioning, new nuclear and medical research opportunities at the site. This would provide an environment for industry, academic community and local businesses to harness existing expertise and develop new enterprises and initiatives around nuclear and clean energy – creating additional scope for social, economic and environmental value creation.
Click here [link to Trawsfynydd Opportunity booklet] to read more about the small-scale nuclear opportunity at Trawsfynydd.
Inward investment into Wales, the largest in Welsh history
Up to £325bn inward investment into Wales, the largest in Welsh history
Enough clean, reliable electricity to power £6m
homes across the UK
Jobs in operation for 60-80 years
Wylfa is situated on the northern coast of Anglesey and covers over 200 hectares. It is an excellent site for new nuclear deployment, and could accommodate both large and small reactors. A new development at Wylfa would hugely increase North Wales’ low carbon generation capacity, whilst creating much needed employment and wider social value on the island and across the region.
“Wylfa is one of the very best sites for new nuclear anywhere in Europe…New nuclear capacity at Wylfa would transform the North Wales economy with fresh investment, thousands of good jobs, as well as providing clean, reliable and sovereign power lasting well into the next century.”
Nuclear Industry Association