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The UK government has officially selected Wylfa, on the island of Anglesey in North Wales, as the location for the country’s first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power station — a major step in Britain’s drive to boost clean energy capacity and strengthen energy security.

The announcement marks a significant milestone in the government’s £2.5 billion investment in SMR technology, designed to deliver low-carbon power more quickly and cheaply than traditional large-scale plants. Each mini reactor will be capable of providing electricity for up to three million homes, with construction expected to create around 3,000 jobs in the region. The new plant is projected to connect to the national grid in the early 2030s.

The government confirmed that Rolls-Royce SMR will supply the technology — a compact reactor design selected earlier this year — as part of the UK’s long-term plan to diversify its nuclear portfolio and reach net zero emissions targets.

However, the move has sparked diplomatic tension with the United States, after the US ambassador to Britain issued a strongly worded statement expressing disappointment over the decision. Washington had reportedly lobbied for an American-led project at the Wylfa site, where a previous nuclear station operated until its closure in 2015.

Despite the criticism, UK ministers defended the choice as a “homegrown solution” that supports domestic expertise and manufacturing. A government spokesperson said the Wylfa project “represents the future of British energy — cleaner, faster, and made in the UK.”

Alongside the SMR programme, the government’s Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) division has been tasked with identifying a suitable location for a new large-scale nuclear plant by autumn 2026.

Currently, two large nuclear projects are under construction in the UK — Hinkley Point C in Somerset and Sizewell C in Suffolk — both operated by France’s EDF Energy.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that Britain’s first small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) will be built in north Wales, marking a major milestone in the country’s push for clean energy independence — but the decision has drawn sharp criticism from the United States.

The Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey will host three SMRs developed by Rolls-Royce SMR, backed by a £2.5 billion government investment. The plan is part of Starmer’s wider strategy to revive the UK’s nuclear industry, generate low-carbon power, and create thousands of skilled jobs.

SMRs are compact, factory-built reactors designed to be cheaper and faster to install than conventional nuclear power stations. Each Rolls-Royce unit will generate around 470 megawatts, with production largely based in Derby.

However, the move has sparked a diplomatic rift with Washington. The U.S. ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, expressed disappointment that American firm Westinghouse Electric Company was passed over for the contract.

“We are extremely disappointed by this decision,” Stephens said. “There are cheaper, faster, and already-approved options to provide clean, safe energy at this same location. We urge Britain to consider a different path.”

The criticism follows the Trump administration’s recent $80 billion deal with Westinghouse to build several large nuclear plants, a project seen as central to reviving the U.S. nuclear sector.

Despite the U.S. backlash, UK officials defended the decision. A senior government source said:

“This is the right choice for Britain — homegrown clean power from a British company, supporting British jobs.”

The Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) division will also assess potential sites for future large-scale nuclear plants, with Torness and Hunterston in Scotland reportedly under consideration.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the project symbolizes “a new era of British-made nuclear power” that will help the UK meet its climate goals and strengthen energy security.

The Wylfa site has a long nuclear history — its last reactor closed in 2015, and previous redevelopment attempts, including a Japanese-led project by Hitachi, collapsed in 2019.

In his announcement, Starmer said:

“For too long, places like Anglesey have been let down. This government is reversing that decline — creating good jobs, boosting investment, and securing cheaper, cleaner power for the long term.”

Unions, however, raised concerns. Unite’s General Secretary, Sharon Graham, argued that opting for multiple smaller reactors instead of a single large-scale project could limit job creation.

“Failure to support a gigawatt-scale station at Wylfa would be a missed opportunity for energy security,” she warned.

Industry leaders welcomed the news. Tom Greatrex, CEO of the Nuclear Industry Association, called it “a major opportunity for British technology and skills.”

He added:

“To reach the UK’s energy goals, we need both large and small reactors — and strong partnerships with allies, including the United States, will remain vital.”

Rolls-Royce SMR, partly owned by Qatar’s sovereign fund, BNF Resources, Constellation, and Czech utility CEZ, employs over 1,000 engineers and is advancing plans to export its modular reactors to Europe, including Czechia’s Temelín plant.