What Next?
Making the case with Government
Further development of the SMR project will need strong Government sponsorship and we will continue to make the case for Trawsfynydd to become the first site for small scale nuclear deployment. Government support and investment will help attract and unlock significant private investment into the economy. We stand ready to work with the Welsh and UK Governments and Great British Nuclear on kick starting the UK’s SMR programme and deliver on net zero and energy security policies.
Maximising local benefits
Key in Cwmni Egino’s establishment was a strong focus on creating social and economic opportunities. We are developing a ‘Social Value Plan’, setting out how the proposed development can improve quality of life for people in local communities and throughout the wider region. We will be working with stakeholders and communities as our proposals evolve, promoting their involvement in prioritising and planning key initiatives to bring lasting benefits to area.
Choosing a technology
Work to date has shown that Trawsfynydd is suitable for a range of small scale nuclear technologies, and there is much interest in the site. We are in discussions with a number of technology providers to consider options. Working with Great British Nuclear, we will be choosing a technology that best fits the site, that can be located as close as possible to services, has minimal visual impact, offers the greatest socio-economic opportunity in terms of the local and regional workforcce and suppliers, and provides the most potential for additional social value.
Undertaking detailed studies
A number of studies will be needed to inform the detailed design of the SMR project and the impact of the locality, including geological studies and environmental surveys. These are critical prerequisites for a successful project and are instumental in minimising negative impact. Specialist studies will help us identify any constraints, possible enhancements and required mitigations as well as assist with key decisions such as the exact reactor siting.
Developing skills and capabilities
To realise the project’s full socio-economic potential, we need to make sure that the local workforce and businesses have the required skills, expertise and capability to capitalise on the opportunities. We will work with local and regional education, skills and training providers as well as supply chain organisations to develop robust plans and secure investment.