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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Nils Pratley

Atom is prematurely split in the ‘golden age’ transatlantic partnership

Sign next to road. Sign reads Wylfa Site
The Wylfa site, in Cemaes Bay, Wales, next to which three small modular reactors (SMRs) are to be built. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty

It had all been so harmonious two months ago. “Together with the US, we’re building a golden age of nuclear that puts both countries at the forefront of global innovation and investment,” purred the prime minister about the new “landmark” UK-US nuclear partnership.

Now there’s an atomic split over the first significant decision. The UK has allocated Wylfa on the island of Anglesey, or Ynys Môn, to host three small modular reactors (SMRs) to be built by the British developer Rolls-Royce SMR. The US ambassador, Warren Stephens, says his country is “extremely disappointed”: he wanted Westinghouse, a US company, to get the gig for a large-scale reactor.

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