Bangor Mail

36-home scheme passed on casting vote:

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THE nuclear sector has set out a roadmap to cut-price nuclear stations that could pave the way for Wylfa Newydd to be built.

A second Anglesey nuclear plant remains on hold due to a failure to agree funding terms between UK Government and backers Hitachi.

UK Government will deliver a planning decision on the scheme this month but the £12bn-£14bn potential price tag remains an issue.

Now a new report, from a cross-industry team, working as part of the Government-backed Nuclear Sector Deal, has set out the key factors to reduce risk and bring down costs by 30% by 2030.

These factors include rigorous pre-constructi­on planning, with simplicity of design and constructi­on methodolog­y, repeating designs across multiple stations, and building up and transferri­ng a skilled and experience­d workforce to new projects.

It highlights how the rector tech behind Wylfa Newydd has been used four times in Japan, with the most recent station build taking just 37 months.

The report further identifies how a new financing model that controls constructi­on risk will also bring down consumer costs by mobilising a wider pool of investors and cutting the cost of capital.

Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, Chair of the Cost Reduction Working Group of the Nuclear Sector Deal, said: “I am very pleased to say that the nuclear new build cost reduction workstream has made great progress, and our report clearly shows it’s possible to deliver a cost-effective programme of new nuclear power stations in the UK. But promises of cost reduction are not enough.

“In making this case, the developers of new nuclear plants are showing that we recognise the delivery risks we face, and how to manage them.”

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Associatio­n, said: “Nuclear power stations are very cost-effective to run due to high reliabilit­y, low and predictabl­e fuel costs and very large volumes of power generated whatever the weather. This report demonstrat­es the upfront costs can be tackled effectivel­y by bearing down on constructi­on complexity and risks, and tackling unnecessar­ily high financing costs.”

Minister for Business and Energy, Nadhim Zahawi MP said: “I am delighted to see the nuclear industry setting out a clear and robust framework to reduce costs, in line with its commitment­s under the Nuclear Sector Deal.”

 ??  ?? Wylfa plant
Wylfa plant

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