UK begins design and early development work for small modular reactors at Wylfa
The Facts
- Great British Energy - Nuclear and Rolls-Royce SMR have signed a contract that begins technology design work for the UK's first small modular reactor programme.
- Wylfa on Anglesey (Ynys Môn) has been chosen as the site for the UK's first small modular reactors.
- The project at Wylfa is planned to include three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors.
- The contract enables site-specific design work and early site or build preparations, including ordering long lead-time components from suppliers.
- Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as the preferred technology partner in June 2025.
- The 2025 Spending Review allocated £2.6 billion to support the contract and wider SMR programme delivery.
- Official and related reports say the first SMR project is expected to support around 3,000 jobs at peak construction, with thousands more across the UK supply chain.
Context
What work is starting now at Wylfa?
The newly signed contract formally starts technology design activities and allows site-specific design, regulatory and planning work, early site or build preparations, and the ordering of long lead-time equipment for the Wylfa project gov.uk,NASDAQ Stock Market,Independent Global ….
What are small modular reactors?
Small modular reactors are nuclear reactors designed to be manufactured in factory-built modules and then assembled on site. Supporters say that modular approach can shorten construction times and reduce costs compared with larger conventional nuclear plants Yahoo,Guardian,Innovation News Net….
Why is Wylfa significant as a nuclear site?
Wylfa is a former nuclear site on Anglesey where electricity was generated from 1971 until 2015. A previous plan by Hitachi to build a new plant there was abandoned in 2020, and Great British Energy - Nuclear bought the site in 2024 Guardian,Yahoo! Finance.
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