Rolls-Royce to build first UK small modular nuclear reactors in Wales

The location is already home to a Magnox nuclear power station undergoing decommissioning, after the second of two reactors that became operational in 1971 was switched off in 2015.

Wylfa is expected to host three Rolls-Royce SMRs, which are relatively large by the standard of small modular reactors, each with a capacity of 470MW - enough to power around a million homes.

The announcement comes after Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as the preferred bidder to build the UK’s next generation of nuclear power stations by Great British Nuclear (GBE-N).

Rolls-Royce SMR said the programme at Wylfa will support an average of nearly 8,000 skilled jobs during construction, although no timeline for the work has yet been revealed.

The SMRs at Wylfa are the latest in a new generation of nuclear power stations in the UK. Hinkley Point C in Somerset, being constructed by BYLOR (Bouygues Laing O’Rourke) is a 3.2GW pressurised water reactor due for completion in 2029.

A second plant based on the same design at Sizewell C on the Suffolk coast reached financial close on a £5.5 billion debt raise last week. Balfour Beatty, Bouygues Travaux Publics, and Laing O’Rourke, who form the Civil Works Alliance (CWA, are the main civil engineering contractors although work is still at the very early stages, with piling yet to start. Construction is expected to be 20% cheaper than Hinkley Point C thanks to efficiency savings generated by using the same design.

Rolls-Royce SMR was selected as the preferred bidder to build the UK’s SMR fleet by Great British Nuclear (GBE-N) in June this year.

Chris Cholerton, Rolls-Royce SMR chief executive, said, “We are honoured to have the opportunity to establish our UK fleet programme with an initial three units at the Wylfa site. Today’s announcement marks the first step in what will be a 100-year commitment to clean energy, innovation, and community partnership at Wylfa.”

He added that in addition to deploying a fleet of SMRs in the UK, the company plans to export the technology to the Czech Republic.

“We will deliver nuclear power very differently by utilising modularisation and a high level of factory build, therefore minimising the impact on local people from infrastructure delivery. We are excited to be working with the local community to create jobs and growth,” he said.