The Nuclear Industry Association has welcomed the announcement made in the Budget that the UK Government is purchasing the Wylfa and Oldbury nuclear sites from Hitachi for £160 million.

Wylfa on Anglesey and Oldbury in South Gloucestershire represent two world-class sites for new nuclear and this deal between the Government and Hitachi marks a vital step in delivering the 24 GW by 2050 ambition.In reaction to the announcement, Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:

“This is a pivotal moment for the future of nuclear in the UK and should mark the beginning of new projects at these sites. Wylfa is one of the very best sites for new nuclear anywhere in Europe and there is great promise for a series of SMRs at Oldbury. The success of ramping up nuclear capacity for energy security and net zero rests a great deal on whether we develop at these sites and others.

“New nuclear capacity at Wylfa would transform the North Wales economy with fresh investment, thousands of good jobs, as well as providing clean, reliable and sovereign power lasting well into the next century.

“I also welcome the beginning of the next phase of the SMR selection process, and I hope the work carried out over the coming months continues to be swift and thorough so that we don’t fall behind other countries in delivering our nuclear programme. There needs to be a huge ramp up of new nuclear, both SMRs and large-scale stations, and we must keep up this momentum.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

  • NIA spokespeople are available for broadcast interview upon request in English and Welsh.
  • The UK has five generating nuclear power stations, providing around 15% of the country’s electricity from 5.9 GW of capacity.
  • Hartlepool and Heysham I stations will retire by March 2026, and Heysham II and Torness will retire by March 2028, leaving only Sizewell B, with 1.2 GW of generating capacity.
  • The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe found nuclear to have the lowest land use, lowest ecosystem impact and lowest lifecycle carbon of all generating technologies.

About the NIAThe NIA is the trade body of the UK civil nuclear industry, representing more than 270 companies operating across the sector.

LinksVisit our website: https://www.niauk.org/

Follow the NIA on X @NIAUK and LinkedIn

For further information, please contact:Iolo JamesHead of Communications[email protected]+447517108023


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