3 min read - 13 Nov, 2025
Anglesey confirmed as site for UK’s first small modular reactors
Wylfa, on the coast of Anglesey in North Wales, has been selected to host the UK’s first three small modular reactors (SMR), supporting up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction, underpinned by billions of pounds of infrastructure investment over the next decade.
The first-of-its-kind project is backed by over £2.5bn of government investment and will be built by publicly-owned Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N), the UK government’s nuclear delivery body.
The UK’s first small modular reactors will be designed by Rolls-Royce SMR, subject to final contract, and are expected to deliver power for the equivalent of around 3 million homes.
GBE-N will start activity on the site in 2026. The initial project will be for three SMR units, but GBE-N assesses that the site could potentially host up to eight. The ambition is for Wylfa’s small modular reactors to supply power to the grid from the mid-2030s.
Anglesey is set for thousands of new jobs as Wylfa is confirmed as the site for the UK’s first small modular reactors / Picture: Rolls-Royce SMR
There is also strong export potential for small modular reactors, after the UK and Czechia signed a deal to cooperate on civil nuclear. It comes after Rolls-Royce SMR and Czechia’s largest public company, ČEZ, agreed last year to partner on SMRs, with ČEZ acquiring a 20% stake.
Chris Cholerton, chief executive of Rolls-Royce SMR, 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.
“This is a tremendous opportunity not just for North Wales but for the whole country, as we establish an enduring supply chain that will enable our fleet deployment in the UK and a large export programme, starting in Czechia.
“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.”
Great British Energy-Nuclear has also been tasked with identifying suitable sites across the UK that could potentially host a further large-scale reactor project similar in scale to the Hinkley Point C or Sizewell C projects, with the potential to power the equivalent of 6 million homes. GBE-N will report back by autumn 2026 to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.
The project is the most significant industrial investment in North Wales for a generation, supporting up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction / Picture: Rolls-Royce SMR
Ed Miliband, energy secretary, added: “This landmark investment proves Britain can still build big projects that stand the test of time. A generation of young people across North Wales will benefit from the good jobs, homes across Britain will get clean power, and we will take a big step forward in meeting our ambition to create a network of small modular reactors across the UK.”
Simon Bowen, chair of Great British Energy-Nuclear, said: “This is a historic moment for the UK, and is another momentous step in realising Britain’s potential in leading the way on nuclear energy.
“These first SMRs at Wylfa will lay the groundwork for a fleet-based approach to nuclear development, strengthening the UK’s energy independence and bringing long-term investment to the local economy.
“Wylfa has a proud history of nuclear excellence, and we’re excited to build on that foundation to deliver jobs, training, and low-carbon energy for generations to come.”
Great British Energy-Nuclear also owns the Oldbury nuclear site in Gloucestershire. As a site which has previously hosted a nuclear power station, it also has great potential for new nuclear, including the potential to support the privately-led projects being developed by the nuclear industry.
