Britain’s first small modular reactors to be built in Wales

Steven

Britain’s first small modular reactors to be built in Wales

Summary

The UK has chosen Wylfa on Anglesey for its first small modular reactor (SMR) plant. The £2.5bn project will initially install three Rolls‑Royce SMR units, intended to supply power for roughly three million homes, with the option to expand to eight reactors.

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE‑N) aims to start construction in 2026, but the units are unlikely to generate electricity before the mid‑2030s. Industry analysts warn that broad commercial availability and market acceptance of SMRs is probably closer to 2035, leaving a near‑term gap in clean, constant generation capacity that the UK needs to support electric vehicles and growth in datacentres.

Wylfa was bought by GBE‑N from Hitachi in early 2024 for £160m. Rolls‑Royce — selected in a prior competition — will build the reactors using modularisation and factory build techniques. The government is also assessing larger conventional reactor projects beyond Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.

Key Points

  • Wylfa on Anglesey selected for the UK’s first SMR plant; three Rolls‑Royce SMR units initially planned.
  • Project cost about £2.5bn with potential expansion to eight reactors; initial construction targeted for 2026.
  • Initial capacity is intended to power roughly three million homes; larger sites could supply around six million homes.
  • Generation from these SMRs is not expected until the mid‑2030s, creating a timing gap for immediate energy needs.
  • Industry consensus places broad SMR availability nearer to 2035, so other solutions (eg onsite gas turbines, renewables) remain necessary in the near term.
  • GBE‑N acquired Wylfa from Hitachi in 2024 for £160m; Rolls‑Royce chosen as the SMR supplier to pursue modularisation and factory build methods.

Author style

Punchy: This is a clear strategic bet by the UK on SMRs — a headline move that signals long‑term commitment. But it’s not a short‑term fix. If you work in energy policy, infrastructure or datacentre planning, the detail matters; this announcement changes the roadmap, even if the turbines won’t spin for a decade.

Why should I read this?

Want the lowdown without wading through press releases? This explains where the UK is putting its nuclear chips, why it matters, and why you can’t bank on SMRs to solve today’s capacity crunch. If you’re planning EV rollouts, datacentres or regional energy strategy, give it a quick read so you’re not blindsided later.

Context and relevance

The decision ties into the UK’s net‑zero and “clean energy superpower” ambitions, and the need for 24/7 low‑carbon power that supports electrification and AI/datacentre growth. However, because SMRs are unlikely to be widely available until the mid‑2030s, developers are already seeking interim solutions such as onsite generation and renewables. The announcement also signals continued government interest in both SMRs and potential future large‑scale reactors.

Source

Source: https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/11/13/anglesey_smr/