Government confirms Rolls-Royce SMR units for North Wales: A transformative step for UK Clean Energy
Related topics
Civil Nuclear
Sustainability & Net Zero
Following the UK Government’s announcement that three Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor (SMR) units will be built at Wylfa in North Wales, Andrew Bowfield PhD, MTC’s Nuclear Expert, shares his perspective on what this milestone means for the UK’s clean energy ambitions:
This marks a transformative moment for North Wales and the future of clean energy in the UK. The decision affirms the region’s nuclear legacy, leveraging its infrastructure, grid access, and skilled workforce to drive industrial growth and regional renewal. Wylfa’s coastal location also offers strategic advantages for cooling and scalability.
This ambition must be matched by action. Establishing a development company and launching the technical phase are critical steps to move from vision to construction – building momentum, attracting investment, and securing stakeholder confidence.
Wylfa could set the blueprint for SMR deployment across the UK – delivering clean energy, economic growth, and long-term social benefits, such as job creation, skills development and investment in local communities. At MTC, we bridge the gap between research and real-world manufacturing, and we’re ready to support industry and government in making civil nuclear a cornerstone of UK’s clean-power ambitions.
Andrew Bowfield PhD, MTC’s Nuclear Expert
Why this matters for UK industry and Net Zero
The Wylfa SMR project represents far more than an energy initiative—it is a strategic move that strengthens the UK’s position as a global leader in clean energy and advanced nuclear technology. By harnessing North Wales’ nuclear heritage and existing infrastructure, this development will accelerate progress toward net zero, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and provide a stable, low-carbon energy source for decades to come. Each factory-built nuclear power plant will generate enough stable, low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years, ensuring long-term energy security. Beyond its environmental benefits, the project will support an average of almost 8,000 highly skilled, well-paid jobs across the UK per year during the build programme, driving economic growth and regional prosperity. It also signals confidence in the UK’s ability to deliver complex, high-value projects that align with national industrial strategy and sustainability goals.
Key benefits for the UK economy and communities
The benefits of SMR deployment extend well beyond energy generation. This project will create thousands of skilled jobs, stimulate investment in local communities, and open doors for advanced training and upskilling in nuclear engineering and manufacturing. It also enhances the UK’s export potential, positioning British companies as competitive players in the global SMR market. By delivering clean energy and economic growth hand in hand, Wylfa sets a blueprint for how innovation can drive long-term social and industrial benefits. Importantly, North Wales is also noted as an AI Growth Zone, which these SMRs could support through data centres—a relatively significant element underpinning economic growth that deserves recognition in this context.
MTC’s role in driving Nuclear innovation
At MTC, we are committed to supporting the UK supply chain in seizing these opportunities. Our regional expertise and advanced manufacturing capabilities enable us to bridge the gap between research and real-world deployment, ensuring SMR technology moves from concept to construction efficiently and effectively. By working collaboratively with industry and government, we help strengthen supply chains, foster innovation, and deliver solutions that align with the UK’s industrial strategy and clean energy ambitions.