Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has hailed the development of a small modular nuclear reactor and an AI growth zone in Wales as "probably the biggest announcement for a generation", bringing more than 6,500 jobs to the area for decades. He made the comments during a visit to Anglesey on Thursday.
The UK's first small modular reactor (SMR) power station will be built at Wylfa in North Wales by publicly owned Great British Energy-Nuclear, backed by £2.5 billion from the Government. The reactors will be designed by Rolls-Royce SMR, subject to final contract. An AI growth zone will also be established in the region.
Sir Keir said the nuclear site would create 3,000 jobs and the AI zone 3,500. He added that these figures could rise due to a "magnet effect" drawing in other businesses. Work is expected to begin this year and ramp up in 2025.
The announcement drew criticism from US ambassador Warren Stephens, who expressed disappointment that a US company was not chosen. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said he made "no apologies" for backing a British firm, while Downing Street said the decision does not preclude a larger US-backed plant elsewhere.
