A NEW nuclear power station that could bring 1,000 jobs to Anglesey could be on the way after the island was named on a government list of possible sites.
The announcement on Monday by energy secretary Ed Miliband has been welcomed by politicians and the county council.
However, anti-nuclear campaigners PAWB (People Against Wylfa B) warned that concerns about nuclear waste had not been addressed.
Ynys Môn MP, Albert Owen has welcomed Anglesey and Wylfa’s inclusion on the list of sites.
“I have led the campaign to include Wylfa because of the benefits a Wylfa B and new nuclear build would bring to the local and regional community,” he said.
“Nuclear is both safe and necessary to move forward towards a low carbon economy in Wales and the UK. With the decline in fossil fuels, including coal and gas, nuclear can provide the necessary base load that both the domestic and business market needs.
“I want to create Anglesey as an ‘energy island’, a hub for low carbon energy technology. Both nuclear and renewables can, and must, co-exist, providing a future for Anglesey and Wales. To achieve this, there needs to be strong political leadership.”
Ieuan Wyn Jones also welcomed the announcement, but warned that safety was a top priority.
“I’m pleased that the UK government has clarified any uncertainty over plans for a new station at Wylfa. My priority has always been to maximise any economic benefits of any development and to be satisfied that any technology used at the plant is safe and that we have a satisfactory way of dealing with nuclear waste.”
“I will also be holding discussions with the joint venture company that aims to develop the new site at Wylfa so that I can discuss any future plans with them.”
Councillor Clive McGregor said: “This is an important step for Anglesey today, and we are pleased that Wylfa has
been named as one of the eleven sites which the UK Government believes will be suitable for nuclear new build.”
“The announcement will give the potential developers JV – Horizon and RWE npower/ e-onn confidence to progress with their schedule for the new nuclear development at Wylfa.”
He added: “We should not underestimate the significance of the potential investment, which could be in the region of £8 billion.
This is comparable to the investment in London in preparation for the 2012 Olympics. We must make the most of this opportunity to safeguard long term employment on the island.”
Dr Carl Cowes of PAWB said Holyhead would make a good for wind, water and solar energy projects, which would create high skilled employment, and added:
“The question of nuclear waste has not been answered. Considering that there is no satisfactory solution to the management of our legacy nuclear waste, what sense is there in moving to completely unchartered territory beyond the experience of the British nuclear industry?”