The announcement this week that the Wylfa site on Ynys Môn will be the first UK site for three Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) is great news for the region. As someone who grew up in north Wales and studied nuclear chemistry at University and was working in the sector when the news broke about the previous project, I’m excited about the news, but it’s going to be a marathon not a sprint, the race has only just begun, and there’s a lot of hard work ahead of us.
One thing is already clear: the potential for North Wales to lead in low-carbon innovation has never been greater.
North Wales has the heritage, talent, and ambition to play a defining role in the UK’s clean energy transition. We have a unique mix of low carbon energy technologies including tidal, on and offshore wind, pumped storage, solar, hydro, an emerging hydrogen economy and of course, nuclear. Wylfa is widely recognised as one of the most suitable sites for new nuclear development, thanks to its existing grid connection, geological stability, business ecosystem and a community that understands both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with hosting major energy infrastructure.
The focus for us now is to ensure that the region is ready to make the most of hosting these first-of-a-kind reactors, and build on the strong and innovative ecosystem within the region.
M-SParc, the innovation hub for the region, are ready to support this journey. From supporting local supply chain companies to connecting small businesses with major industry partners, from fostering start-ups to preparing the next generation of skilled workers, our mission is simple: to maximise the economic opportunities from hosting these nationally significant infrastructure projects.
Across the region, we already see exciting examples of collaboration between industry, academia, and local government. We lead on North West Nuclear Arc cluster, which exists to strengthen those connections and help ensure that investment translates into tangible regional benefit: jobs, skills, and innovation, across north Wales and the North West of England, and work closely with the Wales Nuclear Forum; Wales’ leading nuclear supply chain cluster.
New nuclear development could act as a catalyst for long-term economic regeneration (and hopefully, eventually, a Nandos!).
We must ensure that the benefits of any future project are felt across the community; through maximising supply chain opportunities, apprenticeships, long term careers, and opportunities that allow people to stay, live, and thrive locally.
Equally, the story of Wylfa is not just about energy generation. It is about resilience, innovation, and the pride of a region determined to lead the next phase of the low-carbon economy.
At M-SParc, we will continue to work with partners, businesses, and communities to maximise the benefits of any investment and to ensure that North Wales remains at the forefront of low-carbon innovation.
tom@m-sparc.com
Tom used to work at the KFC in his hometown of Colwyn Bay before it mysteriously burned down. He then spent several years “on the lam” in East Germany, where he worked as an animator in Berlin. When the wall fell, Tom came home.
He enjoys climbing and hates ice-skating.
