THE All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy has today published a report outlining that if the UK Government chooses to pursue further large-scale nuclear stations to meet its 24 GW nuclear target, then it must back Wylfa on Anglesey North Wales as the next site during this Parliament.

The group of cross-party MPs and Peers also urged the Government to start negotiating as soon as possible to determine which reactor technology is best placed to deliver the project.

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The report, Made in Britain: The Pathway to a Nuclear Renaissance, argues that a mix of large and small-scale reactors will be needed to replace a 15 gigawatt (GW) nuclear shortfall after Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and the first Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) come online, with a major, multi-reactor, large-scale project at Wylfa critical to that effort.

To achieve that, the report calls on the Government to set up a cross-departmental taskforce to choose a partner to deliver the project, and to determine which reactor technology is best placed to achieve that goal.

The report backs Wylfa as the “best site in Europe for large-scale nuclear”.

The report also recommends the Government maximise the UK content of a new British nuclear programme to help rebuild the UK’s heavy industrial capabilities, including in Wales.

In total, the report makes five recommendations to government:

  1. Establish a Net Zero duty on the Planning Inspectorate and all relevant regulators; designate nuclear deployment as a Critical National Priority
  2. Publish a Nuclear Roadmap this year that outlines a full programme of projects to 2050
  3. Commit the funding to GBN necessary to build its developer capabilities and to invest directly in at least the first two SMR projects and next large-scale project.
  4. Select a partner for the next large-scale nuclear project beyond Sizewell C in this Parliament
  5. Award funding and assign sites to SMR Technology Partners by March 2024

Virginia Crosbie MP, Ynys Môn (Conservative), Vice Chair and Secretary of the APPG on Nuclear Energy, said: “Should the Government decide to back more large-scale nuclear stations, then Wylfa is a

fantastic option and one that will bring highly-paid and top-quality jobs to Ynys Môn.

“It has everything going for it, including a willing and skilled host community that is eager to see nuclear return to the island and all the benefits that would bring for many years to come.

“But we need to get on with building nuclear stations as a matter of urgency, not only for the sake of our planet and our energy security, but also for the communities like those on Anglesey who are set to benefit in a big way from new projects.

“If we do not, many opportunities will be lost. A point I continue to make to ministers.”

Liz Saville Roberts, Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Plaid Cymru) and Vice Chair of the APPG on Nuclear Energy, said: “The best use of Wales’s two nuclear licensed sites - Wylfa and Trawsfynydd - is essential if we are to grasp the urgent need to increase the contribution of nuclear power to the net zero energy mix.

“Wylfa is ideal for large-scale generation, and should be safeguarded for such use if further gigawatt reactors are backed, while Trawsfynydd is the perfect site for small modular reactors or an advanced modular reactor.

“I urge the UK Government and Welsh Government to work together to make the best use of these opportunities to bring net zero, social and economic benefits to the communities of North Wales.”