The energy crisis gripping Britain following the Russian invasion of Ukraine could see the UK Government move rapidly to get Wylfa B back on track. Energy prices were already spiralling in Europe and have now been further exacerbated by the war and moves to cut reliance on Russian oil and gas.
This crisis has highlighted the risk of relying heavily on imports to power the country and increased the urgency to move to additional renewables and low carbon alternatives like nuclear. Rolls-Royce is appealing to the UK government to speed up the rollout of small modular reactors (SMRs) with Wylfa on Anglesey and Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd prime potential sites.
Meanwhile prime minister Boris Johnson is reportedly keen to revive plans for the full scale Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant. Business Live previously reported the PM had said “very serious conversations” are taking place with two US energy and engineering giants Westinghouse and Bechtel over bringing a nuclear power plant to Anglesey.
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Horizon/Hitachi withdrew from developing the Wylfa site after failing to reach a deal with UK Government on funding the project.
Sources believe the current crisis will speed up those talks over Wylfa B and potentially bring forward any funding decision.
Ynys Mon MP Virginia Crosbie said: “I believe the terrible events in Ukraine and the tyranny of Putin has really focused the minds of everyone in this country on energy security. We cannot be held hostage by anyone when it comes to powering our homes, factories and hospitals.
“An enormous slice of that energy security is a new nuclear power plant at Wylfa Newydd backed up by a broad range of renewables. My job as the MP for Energy Isle is to make sure this happens. I am determined to get Wylfa Newydd over the line to bring the investment and jobs Ynys Môn needs and I believe world events are bringing it closer by the day.
“As the Prime Minister said today ‘Now is the time to make a series of big new bets on nuclear’. I also could not agree more when he added it is time to reverse the historic mistake we made not investing in nuclear decades ago. The mood music is very good. But I am not complacent. As everyone knows, I never stop making the case for Wylfa Newydd. That will not change until a deal is done.”
