KEY figures across North Wales have expressed disappointment at the news of Hitachi’s decision to scrap plans to develop a nuclear power station at Wylfa on Anglesey.

The feelings ran across political parties and at local, Senedd and national levels.

Anglesey’s representatives all regretted the decision to abandon the project.

Virginia Crosby, MP for Ynys Mon said: “It is with great disappointment I received this news. Over the past few months I have been working hard with Horizon and other key stakeholders locally and nationally to promote and support this project. I am in talks with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Prime Minister about the matter.

“I still believe that the Wylfa site is a prime location for a nuclear energy plant.

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS for Ynys Mon added: “Horizon was saying as recently as the last few weeks that its parent company, Hitachi, was still hopeful of winning the support of UK Government. Obviously, that support hasn’t been secured, and the hopes of those who wanted to see a new nuclear power station developed at Wylfa have been raised and dashed once again. To me, this was the danger in relying too much on external investment.

“While there will need to be urgent consideration now on alternative options for the site, there must be a step up also in the work to secure other opportunities for the island, including in fields that I am very supportive of such as tidal energy, hydrogen energy and advanced technologies in M-Sparc, for example. I will be pressing Welsh Government to respond to that challenge as a matter of urgency.”

Anglesey Council Leader, Councillor Llinos Medi said: “This decision is a devastating blow to the Anglesey economy. The Wylfa Newydd project had the potential to transform the Anglesey and North Wales economy, particularly that of North Anglesey.”

“The County Council, through its Energy Island Programme, had worked closely with both UK and Welsh Governments and other key stakeholders over a number of years to facilitate the Wylfa Newydd project.”

“The Wylfa Newydd project was seen as a huge enabler to create substantial jobs and supply chain opportunities.

“I will now be calling for an urgent meeting with both UK and Welsh Governments to discuss the future of the Wylfa Newydd site.”

Anglesey Council’s Chief Executive, Annwen Morgan, said, “Despite this extremely disappointing news, we will continue to work closely with both Governments to understand where this decision leaves a potential new development at Wylfa.”

David Jones MP for Clwyd West said: “I was Secretary of State when the original agreement was signed with Hitachi for the Wylfa scheme. I was absolutely so sad to hear the news. This was an extremely important project not only for energy security but also for providing high quality and high paid jobs for Anglesey and in the wider North Wales, during the construction phase and in the subsequent operation of the plant. It is a great disappointment.

Robin Millar, MP for Aberconwy aid: “It is a disappointing development for all interested in UK energy security, North Wales and of course Ynys Mon.”

Janet Finch-Saunders MS – Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs described the decision as a, “Blow for North Wales”.

She said: “This is a real blow for North Wales and for the talented and skilled workforce that would have been developed and employed in all phases of the plant’s construction and operation, had it gone ahead.

“It’s also disappointing because it delays the process of decarbonisation – of which a switch to nuclear power is a key element if we are to achieve the UK’s ambition for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and to ensure our energy security.

“However, it remains a prime site for a new nuclear project, and the UK government remains committed to discussing, with any viable companies and investors, the development of sites in the North Wales and elsewhere in the UK.”

A spokesperson for The North Wales Economic Ambition Board said: "The Board has been in dialogue with stakeholders and the UK and Welsh Governments to secure the future of Wylfa Newydd since the decision was taken to suspend the project earlier this year. We will continue those discussions. The site is crucial to the economy of Anglesey and the wider region and it's vital we work together to define and secure its future."