Nuclear firm boss has tipped Wylfa for 16 small modular reactors
THE boss of a US nuclear giant says Wylfa could host its small modular reactors (SMRS). Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie met with nuclear power company Ge-hitachi in Westminster last week to hear the latest on its ambitions.
They discussed the potential for Wylfa and the chief executive of Gehitachi Jay Wileman said they “could deploy 16 units on Wylfa”. The firm has submitted a Generic Design Assessment (GDA) entry application for its BWRX-300 SMR to UK authorities.
Wylfa continues to be tipped as a prime site for nuclear development in the UK. But a previous attempt fell down over a failure by Hitachi to reach funding agreements with UK Government to develop the site.
GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy is an alliance created by US based General
Electric and Japanese firm Hitachi.
MP Mrs Crosbie said: “Ge-hitachi remains very keen to see its SMRS deployed here in the UK and it was positive to hear how pleased they are with key government policy announcements to help it achieve that ambition. That it thinks 16 SMRS could be housed at Wylfa is very good news indeed and I will do all I can to support any company that is prepared to work up plans and put spades in the ground for new nuclear power on the island.
“As I have said before, we must not delay. We need clean energy, we need energy security and Wylfa remains the best site in the UK for new nuclear.”
The MP has previously shown the Us-based business around Anglesey as it scouts sites across the UK.
Mr Wileman said: “We are pleased to see all the positive signs of new nuclear coming together in the UK building upon Hinkley Point and soon Sizewell C. The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund, the formation of Great British Nuclear, and the SMR Competition are excellent moves forward.
“We also think Wylfa will be an outstanding site for our BWRX-300 SMR technology. For example, we have seen that we could deploy 16 units on Wylfa. GEH is excited to participate in the future of UK nuclear and fulfill the 24 GW required for energy security and climate change.” Ge-hitachi is based in Wilmington, North Carolina. It has SMR programmes in Canada, the US and Poland - with the Canadian one planned to be up and running by 2028.