Image Source: Rolls Royce SMR via LinkedIn
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Wylfa & Trawsfynydd Nuclear Projects
Is this devolved to Wales?
Not Devolved
The powers over this are reserved to the UK Parliament in Schedule 7A of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (Section D4; Nuclear energy).
The original Wylfa nuclear power station stopped generating power in 2015 and started its decommissioning process in 2016, while Trawsfynydd nuclear power station began decommissioning in 1991.
Plans for a new nuclear power station at Wylfa (Wylfa Newydd) emerged in 2010 and were originally developed by Hitachi. Hitachi formally withdrew the project in 2021 after failing to agree a funding deal.
Both sites were shortlisted as candidates for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear power stations. SMRs are designed to be smaller, cheaper and quicker to construct than conventional nuclear reactors.
In November 2025, the UK Government confirmed that they (under “Great British Energy – Nuclear”) would construct a three-SMR nuclear power station at the Wylfa site, subject to funding and licensing approvals (expected by 2029). It’s expected that construction will create up to 3,000 jobs.
Trawsfynydd remains on the shortlist for a similar project. Welsh Government-backed Cwmni Egino developed initial proposals for a SMR at the site, but ceased operations in March 2026.
Who has raised this at the Senedd?
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
First Minister
Adam Price MS
Enterprise & Energy Minister
Elfed Williams MS
Backbencher
Dan Thomas MS
Backbencher
Helen Jenner MS
Leader of the Opposition
Jason O'Connell MS
Shadow Economy Minister
Joe Martin MS
Shadow Minister without Portfolio
Ken Skates MS
Labour Group Leader
Darren Millar MS
Conservative Group Leader
Rhun ap Iorwerth MS
First Minister
Adam Price MS
Enterprise & Energy Minister
Elfed Williams MS
Backbencher
Dan Thomas MS
Backbencher
Helen Jenner MS
Leader of the Opposition
Jason O'Connell MS
Shadow Economy Minister
Joe Martin MS
Shadow Minister without Portfolio
Ken Skates MS
Labour Group Leader
Darren Millar MS
Conservative Group Leader
What are the party positions on this?
- Supportive
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Plaid Cymru’s policy is to support nuclear energy in communities where nuclear power stations have already operated (Wylfa and Trawsfynydd), but they oppose new nuclear projects elsewhere.
- Supportive
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
Reform UK supports nuclear energy, mainly as an alternative to renewables.
- Supportive
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
The Green Party opposes all forms of nuclear energy.
- Supportive
- Opposed
- Neutral/No Opinion
While they haven’t said anything official on this, as far as I can tell, the Lib Dems support the Wylfa project and the development of SMRs more generally.
Who is responsible?
UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
What's the UK Government's position on this?
The project is currently going through the regulatory process and has been awarded a licence to generate electricity.
A contract with Rolls Royce for the three SMRs at Wylfa was confirmed in April 2026.
What have the Senedd's Committees said?
Nothing has been discussed yet.
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Relevant Votes
Nothing to see yet.
Further Reading
- Senedd Research Service (16th December 2025). “New nuclear at Wylfa: What’s next?“
- Sky News (13th Noivember 2025). “Anglesey chosen as site for UK’s first small nuclear power station“.
- Rolls Royce SMR (13th April 2026). “Rolls Royce secures contractural certainty to build Europe’s first SMR fleet“
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