Energy minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan says the UK Government remains committed to new nuclear investment at Wylfa Newydd and her department continues to talk to potential developers.

The update came during an online meeting with the minister organised by Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie and involving Anglesey County Council, Llanbadrig Community Council, M-SParc, Menter Môn and Coleg Llandrillo Menai.

During the talk, the minister said: “We all appreciate that Wylfa Newydd is a great site and we have the commitment within our energy white paper and the 10-point plan that new nuclear investment is a critical part of our energy mix going forwards.

“We have regular discussions with a number of potential developers and investors and that will continue because we are absolutely committed to having at least one more large-scale nuclear plant.”

The minister also praised the support of the local community and authorities for new nuclear on Anglesey.

“It is well known and wonderful that there is a really strong both community engagement and embeddedness with the nuclear history which you have been part of, and the support obviously remains strong.

“Nuclear is an absolutely central part of what our energy mix will have over the next 50 years plus. And Wylfa remains one of the best potential sites for those technologies, in large part not only because of the geology and geography, but because you have this really passionate and involved community who understand the value of what that brings.”

Virginia said she was really pleased the minister had made the time to talk to the local community and answer questions from them on the current situation.

“I think this was a positive meeting that updated our key local stakeholders on the UK Government’s thinking and, crucially, its continuing commitment to new nuclear on Anglesey,” Virginia explained.

“Ministers tried their utmost to help Hitachi in its development with a comprehensive support package but that is now in the past. We must look forward to the future and find a new investor. It was very reassuring to hear the enthusiasm and support the UK Government still has for Wylfa Newydd and that discussions with interested parties are happening.”

She added: “I am really pleased I was able to organise the meeting and bring a minister to the table to speak to local people. I hope everyone was able to take something away from it and be reassured the UK government is fully behind new nuclear at Wylfa Newydd.”