UK selects Wylfa site for nuclear reactors to power 3 million homes

The UK government has selected the Wylfa site in North Wales for its first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power plant, marking a significant step toward a “golden age” of nuclear energy. The project, led by the publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear (GBE-N), will initially deploy three British-designed Rolls-Royce SMRs, each generating 470 megawatts of low-carbon power—enough to supply approximately three million homes. These SMRs are factory-built modular units designed to reduce construction time and costs compared to traditional nuclear plants. The Wylfa site, with a nuclear history dating back to the 1960s, is expected to create up to 3,000 local jobs during peak construction, supported by over $3 billion in government investment. The initiative is part of the UK’s broader strategy to enhance energy independence, develop sovereign nuclear capabilities, and position itself as a clean energy superpower. GBE-N plans to start work on the site